This past Monday I was incredibly happy while watching my Kansas City Chiefs take down division rival Chargers. During the game I listened to John Gruden give his opinion on challenges and the use of instant replay in sports.
He said he doesn’t like how it takes the fans out of the game and that it is used too much. I understand where he’s coming from, but I don’t agree with his views on the topic. Instant replay is used in order to keep the game called as fairly as possible. Instant replay has the potential to ruin a game with one bad call.
The current system of instant replay in the NFL began in 1999. This system gave the coaches an opportunity to challenge almost any play on the field. There are only a few types of plays that cannot be challenged. These include penalty calls or no-calls, and a play that has been whistled dead by the referee before the play has come to an end. Once the play is under review, the referee has 60 seconds to watch it and determine whether or not the play should be reversed from the initial call on the field.
Other leagues adopted a format somewhat similar to the NFL, although none of the other major North American sports leagues has the challenge system of the NFL. This may slow down the game to some extent, but it’s also necessary in order for teams to be happier with officiating.
Working as an official is one of the most stressful jobs to have. I worked as an official in a summer basketball league for kids ages 8 to 12 in my hometown. Every game there were parents screaming about a call or yelling that their son didn’t foul someone. And this was just a youth summer league. Needless to say, I won’t be attempting to referee any basketball games anytime soon.
The scrutiny on professional referees goes up immensely as much more is on the line. The referee is arguably the most hated person in sports. The entire game rests on the whistles of these ordinary men; they have to make the toughest decisions during the most intense parts of the game. It’s inevitable that mistakes are going to be made. No one is perfect, including referees.
These reviews give the referees a chance to change a mistake that was initially made. It also gives the coaches a chance to correct a mistake they felt was made. In essence, it makes the game a little bit fairer and those involved happier.
The main point Gruden brought up was how the fans were taken out of the game. Yes, there is a momentary lull in action while we witness the referee head over and put his head in a booth for one minute. But the reaction is much greater if the call gets reversed and the fans go crazy over the new call on the field. I think a lot of fans appreciate the fact that the play is trying to be corrected. If it takes a few minutes for the correct call to be made by the referees then I’m happy to wait while they deliberate their decision.
Not all challenges lead to a play being changed, but it’s the fact that coaches get the opportunity. It’s always exciting when the red flag is thrown onto the field and a swing in momentum can be caused. The use of challenges and reviewed plays in the NFL has become part of what we expect to see. It not only gives us a better-judged game, but also can actually provide more excitement.