NFL Referee Lockout
In the 2012 NFL season the referee’s went on strike about the pay they get. The NFL went on a lockout, and that forced NFL officials to bring up College Referees. This might jeopardize the 2012 NFL season.
On Monday Night Football on 2-24-12 it was a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. When the last seconds of the game rolled around Seattle’s quarterback Brian Russell threw the ball deep into the end zone. Green Bay’s safety had intercepted the ball, but Seattle’s wide receiver had put his arm under the ball. The refs had ruled the play a touchdown. The NFL rule is that after the 2:00 minute mark in the 4th quarter mark, coaches cannot challenge plays. The Green Bay Packers had lost 12-14. The NFL referees had blown the game. After the game 27 year long time ref John Bud said “that the pass was intercepted but he made a mistake.”
The referees of the NFL all said that it was time to return because of the teams fines went up almost every game. For example Denver Broncos head coach was fined 50k for verbal abuse in the Broncos vs. Texans. In 1 week there were almost 200,000 in fines for verbal abuse and getting angry with refs. When the refs saw the rate of fines go up they knew it was time to end the lockout. The lockout had been going on since week 1 of the regular season. The lockout is supposed to come to an end on Thursday 27, 2012. The veteran refs agree to come back to the NFL.
Commissioner Roger Goodell made a solid freeze in salary which was 401k(match). The referees had agreed with a 201k ever year for the new salary. The Ref lockout has been removed from the NFL, and now the 2012 season may get back on track.