Heads up, Ducks: a Big Ten officiating crew is working the national title game. It might even be the same crew that flagged Ohio State for two 15-yard personal foul penalties for end zone celebrations when players flashed the "O" sign with their special Nike gloves. The Big Ten is a humorless league.
Stuff like that annoys me. College football is a game played by 18-to-22 year old kids. Oh, there are a few Brandon Bairs and Mark Aspers out there with a wife and a family, but they are still young men. Flag outright taunting, absolutely, but flair, enthusiasm and spontaneity should be part of the game. To have one turn on a critical foul over excitement in the moment is utterly stupid. I hate it when officials think they are the show, and try to penalize joy. It's a game. It's supposed to be played with passion and abandon. The rules are there to promote order and prevent injury, and to apply them in a way that takes the color out of the game is foolish.
But Cliff Harris, Jeff Maehl and LaMichael James have to be on their guard. The fun police from the conference of leaders and legends will be watching them.
When I saw that we were getting Big 10 officials I groaned. I have been saying the same thing about these "kids" in college football for a number of years now. They are YOUNG and play for the love of the game. How can you expect them not to celebrate. As long as they aren't taunting their opponents I say let 'em.
ReplyDeleteYou might notice that every time a touchdown is scored, especially in the Big 10, the official is right on them and ready to throw a flag.