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SAN FRANCISCO – NFL referees are under the biggest microscope they’ve ever been. With cameras at every angle and movement as slow as possible, it’s quite easy to criticize the refereeing from the couch.
But Rob Gronkowski, who watches a lot of football on “NFL on FOX,” says the league needs to do something to improve the quality of calls.
“The arbitration is pending. I don’t want to sit here and really criticize the refereeing because it’s really difficult. It’s really hard to do that. It’s a fraction of a second. You have to make a call, throw a penalty flag and remember what you saw there. So it’s difficult,” Gronkowski told PK Press Club Digital on the radio.
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Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots argues with field judge Mike Weatherford after receiving a penalty for his late hit on Tre’Davious White of the Buffalo Bills during an NFL game at New Era Field on December 3, 2017, in Buffalo, New York. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Gronkowski’s solution is one that you may not even know is a fact.
“I think officials should be very well paid and well compensated, and they should work full time. From what I’ve heard, they’re not full time and they have other jobs as well. That makes absolutely no sense,” Gronkowski said flatly.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski makes his case to New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, and an official on the field after an altercation. (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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“It’s a multi-billion dollar industry. These officials have to be paid a lot of money, but they also have to put in the time and work 24/7 all year round. Yes, they may have some time off in the summer, but they have to be there at all times at the football. And I think that will help, you know, the game is called better because I don’t want to criticize, but there have been some absolutely terrible calls, and it’s very inconsistent… It has to stop, and I think it would stop, you know, if they were full time.
The officials found themselves in the spotlight earlier this postseason during the Denver Broncos-Buffalo Bills divisional game. Brandin Cooks had a ball stripped from him by Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillan after apparently completing the catch. The officials ruled it an interception, taking the ball away from the Bills. Buffalo was called for two defensive flags on Denver’s ensuing drive.
Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’quan McMillian intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks during overtime of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
Goodell defended the officials during his pre-Super Bowl LX press conference on Monday.
“I’m so amazed at how good our officials are. We spend time all week looking at different angles and we’re still debating it a week later. These guys have to make a split-second decision, and the men and women on our field are incredible. I think they’ve proven time and time again that they are truly wonderful at what they do,” he said.
And we need to be able to use technology, in my opinion, to try to avoid obvious mistakes.
Shawn Smith was named head official for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, marking his first time leading a crew in a big game.
