Not only should the fans boycott this mess but it is past time for the player's union (and the players) to step up and support the officials. Where are the other unions whose members are providing ancilliary services to the nfl (someone is delivering beer to the stadiums, etc.)? It is time to make a statement and help to support what is left of union representation in this country. Doing nothing makes a statement also - a sad one.
Unions are not perfect but they have made it possible for this country to have a prosperous middle class. If you believe that unions are the cause of our economic problems than you are ... probably qualified to be a replacement official.
tmoungey - 12 years ago
Had already committed to personal boycott for the rest of the Season immediately after the wrong call. Why watch anymore of a meaningless season with so many botched calls? Players: " It's hard to soar like an EAGLE when you're surrounded by turkeys" . Replacement refs and the biggest turkey of all, Roger Goofdell.
Phillip Farnsworth - 12 years ago
This is a joke. Some people have paid $250 for a seat expecting a particular quality of a product. Now they are not getting that quality of product. The only way to hurt the NFL is where it hurts, the wallet. They get money from advertising so... I have decided not to watch football on TV until the dispute is settled. If enough people did this, the ratings would drop enough for someone to notice. EVERYONE SHOULD NOT WATCH ANY FOOTBALL THIS SUNDAY!! We must Join together to get OUR quality product back.
Jim Gourley - 12 years ago
Love the replacement refs and will continue to do so until NFL Players Assoc has the stones to just shut up and Strike! But that would mean they'd have to be willing to give
up $$$. And we all know it's a lot easier for them to froth on Twitter. No sympathy for the predicament until the players put theirI money where their mouths (& keyboards) currently are. Grow a collective pair, players! It's a safety issue! Put it on the line.
David - 12 years ago
After seeing the Packers robbed, I can no longer watch until some credibility is returned to the game. So no more NFL for me until the owners come to their senses...
Dan - 12 years ago
I'm for a boycott, but fans need to realize a boycott requires a commitment to forego all professional football until the regular referees have returned. A boycott would not only include not attending games, but not watching games. The league will pay attention once its revenue channels are put at risk, as what advertiser will not to pay for something that isn't being watched. Fans would need to support each other as let's face it, for many football is tantamount to a religious event. Don't mean to seem like I'm lecturing, but football fans have you got the balls to go cold turkey?
Chris - 12 years ago
Today's unions are a joke. Whatever happened to not crossing a picket or banner? The NFL refs and players are both part of a union. The players should respect the unions across the country and refuse to play. I am a union carpenter and I at least have enough pride not to cross one even though I live paycheck to paycheck. It would be a true kick in the face to the union leaders, not to mention the owners, if our athlete brothers would refuse to cross the picket just as my coworkers and I have done many times. ORGANIZE L.U. 1127
Tom H - 12 years ago
If I went to a restaurant where dinner for two costs $400, and was served my food on dirty plates, and given the excuse that the kitchen staff were on strike, I would not return to that restaurant. Nor would I cross the kitchen workers picket line.
Trish Wallen - 12 years ago
It's time to hit them in the pocket book - I think just one weekend of boycotting the NFL would be enough to shake them up - they would shutter at losing all that money on ticket sales, merchandise, TV revenue. As consumers we need to stop accepting a less than quality product. Count me in!
Jeff Davis - 12 years ago
the game needs to be boycotted. We need to show the NFL that we are what makes them. If it wasn't for fans there would be no football as we know it. For the league to dismiss it so easily is just sickening. I will not be watching any games or logging into the NFL site until it is resolved. These players work their butts off, and for the outcome to be decided that way is just a slap in the face. Whats the point of playing. They should just use madden to simulate the rest of the season.
MICHIGAN TOMMY - 12 years ago
I WOULD WANT TO MAKE THE NFL BELIEVE I WOULD BOYCOTT BUT THERE IS NO WAY ANY OF YOU WOULD ACTUALLY NOT WATCH EVEN A SINGLE GAME. IT IS MORE LIKELY ALL THIS (NEG) PRESS WILL DRAW IN EVEN MORE VIEWER THIS COMING WEEK. SAD BUT TRUE.
Neil - 12 years ago
"Rob", which refs are you referring to as making the "right call" they didn't even agree with each other on the field, I don't know what replay you were "reviewing" but all of the rest of us saw a call that was so blatantly wrong it was embarassing......NFL has become a joke
Rob Gronkowski - 12 years ago
After many reviews of Tate's catch, the refs made the right call. The NFL could have overturned the call and they didn't. Yes the ref's have made some mistkakes this year, but they made the right call on Monday.
Rick Hollar - 12 years ago
I am already boycotting the NHL because of the lockout. I may have to visit the library and read for entertainment. Professional sports need to be more responsive to the fans that altimately pay the bills. No fans, not income.
jared ott - 12 years ago
I just dropped the NFL network and redzone package today..Fan for over 25 years but I'm not paying or wasting my time to watch this crap anymore. They will not get tv ratings from my household for a while; I just wish I could return the merchandise I purchased a month ago!!
Bruce - 12 years ago
As fans, you are being told "we can put any product we want on the field and you have to accept it, if we want to feed you slop you will eat it and you will keep making us rich because we are smarter that you."
Marcus Mitchell - 12 years ago
The season--not just last night, between GB and Seattle--has been just plain GROTESQUE. I am willing to do so and my 49ers--who had been either bad or average (mostly very bad) since Steve Young left, about 13 years ago--were one of the SB favorites this year. I'm not up for being one of the only ones to do so, because I'm not up for wasting my time. However, if it were a nationally thing, then I would definitely join in. Every game that I've watched this year has had at least a couple of bad calls and there is this atmosphere that the players have that is like when you had inept substitute teachers or babysitters in authority. There has been thug play and players trying to get away with stuff and these "refs" cannot call them on it. All this happened last night--as much as it has in any game, if not more--plus it finally cost a team (Green Bay) a game. It's now become a mob or gang outfit, without the guns, like runnin' numbers or money changing hands without receiving adequate protection or services. Congress usually steps in on matters such as this, but they aren't to blame; we are. The thing is that, how many true fans would be able do without the nfl product for years or for good using a boycott? I could. It may come to that, because the powers that be are quite wealthy, have plenty of assets, are very stubborn(or we wouldn't have got to this point), and could just decide to retire with what they have. This is not likely, as many owe on stadiums--which are expensive. I could. Right is right. How can people sit idly by while a scam artist takes your money all the while lying to you about the true reason that your money is being taken? If it is some sort of dramatized ,fake, football, then let me know and I want nothing to do with it, period. When I found out wrestling was fake--as a young child--I broke away from it immediately. These "refs" make the game with a credible and real reputation into something akin to wrestling. Thanks For Nothing League! Hold them accountable or shut it and force them to call it a phrase that refers to its fakeness. I'm all for that national boycott, just not wasting my time with no one else doing so. Commissioner Goodell shouldn't act as though he is protecting the shield when it comes to the players' punishment and neglect it when it comes to the game that you claim to protect is developing a tarnished rep; either leave the players alone or do the right thing completely. We can do without the hypocrisy, sir. I very much agree with the sentiment.
Also, the powerful players have cards to play, too. The players should also have legal options against hypocritical Goodell, because--while they all are under recently signed agreement--he has been firm here and soft there with his authority. To me, that makes it challengeable.
Tristan Wright - 12 years ago
Having recently veered away from the sport over the past few years I was drawn back in after hearing about the implementation of "replacement" officials. I had considered this sport a game of penalties for quite some time and I found it hard to watch for that reason. I had, up until the last two weeks, found the officiating to be extraordinary. If the game is always decided by penalties, which it is, then the calls should be correct. With the use of replay and challenges the games are 6 hours but the calls are correct. In the past two weeks this has completely gone out the window. These officials are not capable of controlling or calling these games and it has become an absolute circus. Players and coaches are taking full advantage of the inexperience and teams are going to pay for it later in the season. I fully support a fan boycott. I am not going to tune in to Thursdays game or the games this weekend. This is only made difficult because of the morbid curiosity of what may transpire. As a fan the only power we have to stop this disaster is to stop watching, tweeting, talking and blogging about the sport. The NFL and the owners don't care about the game if they continue to make money and sell the brand. Please stop watching these games until the proper officials are on the field!
David Waterland, Again - 12 years ago
I have already commented on the Bullshit call on Last Nights Packers/ Seahawks game.
But I must mention that Roger Goodell has his head up his ASS, Bye Having Monday Night Football on ESPN. Monday night Football is an American Tradition, That should be on a MAJOR Network! Because of the fact that a huge percentage of the Players and Fans come from the inner cities across America on which they DO NOT have Cable/ Dish access to this games. Which sucks Big Time! I'm not from the Inner Cities, Nor am I a crying Baby.
Does Everything have to be about Money? This is also another Great reason for the BOYCOTT!
Roger needs to STEP DOWN NOW! For the love of the game, We must Boycott for both issues.
Good Luck Fans.
Michael - 12 years ago
If it's only a game it would not be pulling in 9 billion a year. It's a business. If it is only a game then we dont have to watch it.
Kim - 12 years ago
I have been a football fan since I was in grade school (and I'm a girl!!!). I watch all games, not just my team, because I enjoy a good game. Of course you will have a ref miss a call, mistake a call, etc. What the problem with the replacement refs is that they DO NOT KNOW THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL! They are used to the rules in their normal jobs. Giving extra time outs? Calling interference when there was none? Not calling them? The difference in the Packer/Seahawk game is that there were 2 refs standing right at the center of the play, they made different calls.....It is the fans who pay for the refs, players and the owners-I say it's time that they listen to us and get this crap over with the professional refs!!!
russ deloach - 12 years ago
I see a lot of people calling for Goodell's job. If we as fans are going to place the blame on someone lets put it on the right person or people. Goodell is no more than a puppet of the team owners. Right now the owners are the ones that have caused this problem, they are the ones who wont negotiate with the refs. The only way this issue will ever gets solved is when the franchise owners come off their high horses and settle on something with the old refs.
doug - 12 years ago
Even the real refs miss calls. I can remember calls being made in SuperBowls that cost teams the win, yes these refs blew the call last night, but on Green Bay's td drive they called pass interference against Seattle on 3rd down, GB would've had to punt.....
David Waterland, thats right, David Waterland - 12 years ago
Hugh NFL fan, But NOT ANY MORE!
The Packers got Ripped OFFFFFF! I'm Going to College Football. I wasn't a huge college football fan in the late past due to a No Playoff system. Now since college has a playoff system in the works, with good Refs. I will Boycott the NFL until the Game is Reversed and the Regular Refs. return. If any true fan has any BALLS at all they will also. How great would it be if there were only 2,000 or so Fans in the Stadiums and the T.V. viewing was none existint?
The Refs. Should truely make $120,000 a season, Just like any bottom wage entertainer does.
They risk injury and are Total Pros. COME ON LETS DO THIS!!!!
Nick S - 12 years ago
I'm done. I just got my Sunday afternoons back. I will not watch another NFL game this season.
Simply disgusting, it's the only words that come to mind
Boo - 12 years ago
I am a huge Packer fan and the Seahawks really brought it on. It is really too bad that the game was decided by crappy officiating.
tom batterson - 12 years ago
College ball baby
Pepper M. G. - 12 years ago
Not only am boycotting NFL until the regular officials are back. I think it is time to replace Roger Goodell. He is not looking out for the best interest of the players and their safety anymore. HE NEEDS TO GO. Last nights game was the worst of the worst. Please all think about skipping the games, get out of the house with your family. Shut off the games until we get the game back that we all love to watch. I was totaly impressed with Green Bay showing total integrity leaving the field and not yelling at the refs or players. The temp refs need to go NOW!
Barry L - 12 years ago
The NFL is a joke! No integrity. No leadership, and very little brains from what I can see. They'll wait until a player has a career ending injury (not called) who then sues the NFL for it. That's my guess. Goodell is simply spineless. Should run for political office he is so two faced.
At least we still can watch MLB and College Football. Scary when I start to think that those sports have more integrity than the, uh, what is that laughingstock called again, oh that's right nfl. Next thing Goodell will start forcing them to wear pantyhose. Real football is dead, this is just one of the death throws...
Tim Rose - 12 years ago
The call of a td at end of game has got to be one of the worst calls in the history of the NFL. If the league doesn't get regular refs back soon by seasons end there will be no fans left. As a Raiders fan I know about my team having to play against the other team plus the refs now the Packer fans are feeling the anger I feel every week. Goddell needs to check his Godcomplex at the door and get the real refs back.
Don Bohlin - 12 years ago
Greed wins as integrity loses. Real refs and the NFL are to blame. I will not watch or patronize football any longer. Get the NHL negotiations over and Let's Play Hockey.
wendy stephen - 12 years ago
I live in Ohio and I have already purchased plane and game tickets to go to San Francisco. It would cost us over a 1000 dollars to boycott the game.
alex ocegueda - 12 years ago
I already stop watching football. Didn't see the game last nite or the play every1 is talking about.I love watching a good game not this b.s with officials that don't know the rules of the game
James - 12 years ago
We need the ref's who know how to call a game that are enjoyed by millions. What's the hold up make a deal with both sides can be happy with and get our ref's on field. And be done with the replacement refs who can't call a NFL game to save their life
Adam - 12 years ago
Why does this author take the side of the refs in the labor dispute? Seems ignorant to me. Labor disputes are complicated. This is better than not have coal during the winder in the early 1902. Who's fault was that? Yes, it's embarrassing to the NFL to have this problem, but I'm just as upset at the regular refs who make many times more money than I do for a dream job. Besides, like this is the first time a game has been wrecked by bad calls? Anyone remember the two terrible calls AGAINST the Seahawks in the Superbowl no less? REFS: Quit whining about making hundreds of thousands of dollars, quit ruining my favorite sport, and get on the field.
Barry Pequita - 12 years ago
Last Time.
Please........
Boycott Thurs nite foorball.
Bob Levittan - 12 years ago
After watching the Monday Night game last night I sent an email to Roger Goodell informing him that I wouldn't be watching any more NFL games until the refs are back. I know I'm only one person, but....join in!
j abraham - 12 years ago
No way should we boycott. Reason being, It is up to the NFL to demand that the refs return and give them a 5 day window. If after five days they are not in agreement then the hammer should come down and the entire system be overhauled. Refs who do not cross the picket line should be fired and new refs should be installed and given the proper training. They will get better as time goes on. This whole thing is a disgrace to the game. Fire them all and deal with it. Unions are a joke. As we see all over the country,there destroying it. Greedy, arrogant and destructive is no way to run a union. FIRE THEM ALL AND LETS PLAY FOOTBALL.
In closing, The commissioner is to blame here. We as fans should not have to give up anything. The NFL is loaded$$. If they want it to end give them the stupid money and rewrite there contract and stipulate. "Under no circumstances will they walk out during a season. Easy enough. those who disagree, Go find anther ref job in peewee league somewhere.
Jase - 12 years ago
Maybe if they take some cash away from some of the over paid under performing players there wouldn't be an issue at all. While that subject has been mentioned, what ever happened to the sportsmanship in the NFL. This isn't a hockey arena. All the after the play hands on needs to stop or start to eject all involved. If the higher ups would learn to be firm, fair and consistant towards every team, from the owners down to the newest bench warmer, most of this stuff would not be seen on the field. Boycott is a great way to get a point accross.
Bill Snyder - 12 years ago
Proof, is in the Pudding.The Owners, DO NOT CARE!!!!
Absolutely atrocious!I would call for an outright Boycott.
Nothing will change; until you take $$$$, out of the Owners Coffers.
They are so Smug and Defiant; we need to call them out, for the Righteous,
Profiteering Pigs, THEY ARE!!!SHUT IT DOWN....NOW!!!!!
Barry Pequita - 12 years ago
terrible spelling, sorry in a hurry
Barry Pequita - 12 years ago
I tittered Boycott Thurs nite foorball. Pass it on. I hope people who are not enjoying seson do the same.
Without professional-grade officiating, how is this professional football? If this is how the NFL plans to run the games, with rank amateurs calling the shots, then it can no longer call itself America's premier professional league. It's like calling a meeting of Senators at a strip club "Congress."
E. Ham - 12 years ago
Even with the regular officials, bad calls are made and not reversed, even with the steely TV eye's recall capability. Not only that, but on any given play, a flag could be thrown for both offensive and defensive holding, yet holding calls are usually few and far between.
The only real problem with the replacement officials is that they do not have a grasp of the current NFL rules, which knowledge takes several seasons to acquire.
Yes, I fault the owner's greed and cavalier attitude towards the fan base in the current dispute. The money difference that is blocking an acceptable solution is chump change to the league principals--give the regular officials what they want and salvage the season.
JOHN - 12 years ago
MORE FUN! MORE FUN!
THESE GUYS ARE A RIOT TO WATCH!
LETS GET SOME COMMUNITY COLLEGE REFS!
Tom - 12 years ago
Have been not enjoying season due to officiating inconsistency whichhas led to low quality of product being provided by NFL. After last nights game I am now unplugged for remainder of season and maybe beyond. I stopped supporting and following Major League Baseball after the owners and players allowed the strike to occur in the 1990's. So NFL I am only one guy however I am sure there are others like me who are now very turned off and willing to tune out your product because it appears the League believes it is infallible.
TMiller - 12 years ago
It wasn't the Packer -Seahawk fiasco, it is everything. The Raven's - Patriot game was down right dangerous. Many players have been injured, and one could end up dead. End this farce of substitutes and end the game or make it safe.
Gary - 12 years ago
Boycotting is not fair to the players. Besides, now we have a clear example of the triumph of the incompetent and it's fun as hell to watch. At the end of the day or night it's only a game.
David - 12 years ago
The NFL has become a joke..these referees suck...i want the real refs back..i would absolutely live to participate in a boycott...the packers clearly won that game..its hard for the Seahawks to win a big time game like last night without the support of fake fill in refs...BRING BACK THE REAL REFS!!!
buck - 12 years ago
Did you see the Vikings game there was a lot of bad calls there he used to Time outs and had none
KevinTheRandom - 12 years ago
Given, the replacement refs are aweful and need to go. But I cant wait for the real refs to get back and everyone still complain about them. They will always be an excuse no matter how good they are.
Wayne Colegate - 12 years ago
I am switching to "Lingerie" football....officiating is secondary to uniforms.
Jesse Huber - 12 years ago
The NFL owners won't give the crumbs off their table to the real referees, even as the replacement officials are undeniably failing. That tells me the NFL owners view the value of fan support as less than the crumbs off the table. I can't in good faith give money or time to that.
Nathan Baylor - 12 years ago
I am absolutely a diehard football fan. I run three fantasy football leagues and I have Directv only because of the NFL Sunday Ticket. I watch football all day Sunday and I don't miss the Sunay night or Thursday night games regardless of who is playing. I would absolutely join any boycott for as long as it would take. If you were to take all judgement calls out of the current situation you would still have to deal with these amateurs not knowing basic rules and enforcement of timeouts, challenges, penalties, etc. How does that happen? The NFL changed the way the game has been played in the recent past with rules to protect players. Those changes seem to suddenly be gone as well. Player safety which has been touted by the league is now a joke. You don't pick and choose. It is important or it is not.
samuel mckinney jr. - 12 years ago
Before that play i had already turned away from the game because of the pass interfearence that wasn't called.I am not a fan of green bay but last night a win was taken away because of more than one blown call.The NFL is becoming a joke with these referee's.The games are not fun to watch that much anymore.I've seen better pop warner games than what is now on tv and that is sad for the NFL of this era.
Not only should the fans boycott this mess but it is past time for the player's union (and the players) to step up and support the officials. Where are the other unions whose members are providing ancilliary services to the nfl (someone is delivering beer to the stadiums, etc.)? It is time to make a statement and help to support what is left of union representation in this country. Doing nothing makes a statement also - a sad one.
Unions are not perfect but they have made it possible for this country to have a prosperous middle class. If you believe that unions are the cause of our economic problems than you are ... probably qualified to be a replacement official.
Had already committed to personal boycott for the rest of the Season immediately after the wrong call. Why watch anymore of a meaningless season with so many botched calls? Players: " It's hard to soar like an EAGLE when you're surrounded by turkeys" . Replacement refs and the biggest turkey of all, Roger Goofdell.
This is a joke. Some people have paid $250 for a seat expecting a particular quality of a product. Now they are not getting that quality of product. The only way to hurt the NFL is where it hurts, the wallet. They get money from advertising so... I have decided not to watch football on TV until the dispute is settled. If enough people did this, the ratings would drop enough for someone to notice. EVERYONE SHOULD NOT WATCH ANY FOOTBALL THIS SUNDAY!! We must Join together to get OUR quality product back.
Love the replacement refs and will continue to do so until NFL Players Assoc has the stones to just shut up and Strike! But that would mean they'd have to be willing to give
up $$$. And we all know it's a lot easier for them to froth on Twitter. No sympathy for the predicament until the players put theirI money where their mouths (& keyboards) currently are. Grow a collective pair, players! It's a safety issue! Put it on the line.
After seeing the Packers robbed, I can no longer watch until some credibility is returned to the game. So no more NFL for me until the owners come to their senses...
I'm for a boycott, but fans need to realize a boycott requires a commitment to forego all professional football until the regular referees have returned. A boycott would not only include not attending games, but not watching games. The league will pay attention once its revenue channels are put at risk, as what advertiser will not to pay for something that isn't being watched. Fans would need to support each other as let's face it, for many football is tantamount to a religious event. Don't mean to seem like I'm lecturing, but football fans have you got the balls to go cold turkey?
Today's unions are a joke. Whatever happened to not crossing a picket or banner? The NFL refs and players are both part of a union. The players should respect the unions across the country and refuse to play. I am a union carpenter and I at least have enough pride not to cross one even though I live paycheck to paycheck. It would be a true kick in the face to the union leaders, not to mention the owners, if our athlete brothers would refuse to cross the picket just as my coworkers and I have done many times. ORGANIZE L.U. 1127
If I went to a restaurant where dinner for two costs $400, and was served my food on dirty plates, and given the excuse that the kitchen staff were on strike, I would not return to that restaurant. Nor would I cross the kitchen workers picket line.
It's time to hit them in the pocket book - I think just one weekend of boycotting the NFL would be enough to shake them up - they would shutter at losing all that money on ticket sales, merchandise, TV revenue. As consumers we need to stop accepting a less than quality product. Count me in!
the game needs to be boycotted. We need to show the NFL that we are what makes them. If it wasn't for fans there would be no football as we know it. For the league to dismiss it so easily is just sickening. I will not be watching any games or logging into the NFL site until it is resolved. These players work their butts off, and for the outcome to be decided that way is just a slap in the face. Whats the point of playing. They should just use madden to simulate the rest of the season.
I WOULD WANT TO MAKE THE NFL BELIEVE I WOULD BOYCOTT BUT THERE IS NO WAY ANY OF YOU WOULD ACTUALLY NOT WATCH EVEN A SINGLE GAME. IT IS MORE LIKELY ALL THIS (NEG) PRESS WILL DRAW IN EVEN MORE VIEWER THIS COMING WEEK. SAD BUT TRUE.
"Rob", which refs are you referring to as making the "right call" they didn't even agree with each other on the field, I don't know what replay you were "reviewing" but all of the rest of us saw a call that was so blatantly wrong it was embarassing......NFL has become a joke
After many reviews of Tate's catch, the refs made the right call. The NFL could have overturned the call and they didn't. Yes the ref's have made some mistkakes this year, but they made the right call on Monday.
I am already boycotting the NHL because of the lockout. I may have to visit the library and read for entertainment. Professional sports need to be more responsive to the fans that altimately pay the bills. No fans, not income.
I just dropped the NFL network and redzone package today..Fan for over 25 years but I'm not paying or wasting my time to watch this crap anymore. They will not get tv ratings from my household for a while; I just wish I could return the merchandise I purchased a month ago!!
As fans, you are being told "we can put any product we want on the field and you have to accept it, if we want to feed you slop you will eat it and you will keep making us rich because we are smarter that you."
The season--not just last night, between GB and Seattle--has been just plain GROTESQUE. I am willing to do so and my 49ers--who had been either bad or average (mostly very bad) since Steve Young left, about 13 years ago--were one of the SB favorites this year. I'm not up for being one of the only ones to do so, because I'm not up for wasting my time. However, if it were a nationally thing, then I would definitely join in. Every game that I've watched this year has had at least a couple of bad calls and there is this atmosphere that the players have that is like when you had inept substitute teachers or babysitters in authority. There has been thug play and players trying to get away with stuff and these "refs" cannot call them on it. All this happened last night--as much as it has in any game, if not more--plus it finally cost a team (Green Bay) a game. It's now become a mob or gang outfit, without the guns, like runnin' numbers or money changing hands without receiving adequate protection or services. Congress usually steps in on matters such as this, but they aren't to blame; we are. The thing is that, how many true fans would be able do without the nfl product for years or for good using a boycott? I could. It may come to that, because the powers that be are quite wealthy, have plenty of assets, are very stubborn(or we wouldn't have got to this point), and could just decide to retire with what they have. This is not likely, as many owe on stadiums--which are expensive. I could. Right is right. How can people sit idly by while a scam artist takes your money all the while lying to you about the true reason that your money is being taken? If it is some sort of dramatized ,fake, football, then let me know and I want nothing to do with it, period. When I found out wrestling was fake--as a young child--I broke away from it immediately. These "refs" make the game with a credible and real reputation into something akin to wrestling. Thanks For Nothing League! Hold them accountable or shut it and force them to call it a phrase that refers to its fakeness. I'm all for that national boycott, just not wasting my time with no one else doing so. Commissioner Goodell shouldn't act as though he is protecting the shield when it comes to the players' punishment and neglect it when it comes to the game that you claim to protect is developing a tarnished rep; either leave the players alone or do the right thing completely. We can do without the hypocrisy, sir. I very much agree with the sentiment.
Also, the powerful players have cards to play, too. The players should also have legal options against hypocritical Goodell, because--while they all are under recently signed agreement--he has been firm here and soft there with his authority. To me, that makes it challengeable.
Having recently veered away from the sport over the past few years I was drawn back in after hearing about the implementation of "replacement" officials. I had considered this sport a game of penalties for quite some time and I found it hard to watch for that reason. I had, up until the last two weeks, found the officiating to be extraordinary. If the game is always decided by penalties, which it is, then the calls should be correct. With the use of replay and challenges the games are 6 hours but the calls are correct. In the past two weeks this has completely gone out the window. These officials are not capable of controlling or calling these games and it has become an absolute circus. Players and coaches are taking full advantage of the inexperience and teams are going to pay for it later in the season. I fully support a fan boycott. I am not going to tune in to Thursdays game or the games this weekend. This is only made difficult because of the morbid curiosity of what may transpire. As a fan the only power we have to stop this disaster is to stop watching, tweeting, talking and blogging about the sport. The NFL and the owners don't care about the game if they continue to make money and sell the brand. Please stop watching these games until the proper officials are on the field!
I have already commented on the Bullshit call on Last Nights Packers/ Seahawks game.
But I must mention that Roger Goodell has his head up his ASS, Bye Having Monday Night Football on ESPN. Monday night Football is an American Tradition, That should be on a MAJOR Network! Because of the fact that a huge percentage of the Players and Fans come from the inner cities across America on which they DO NOT have Cable/ Dish access to this games. Which sucks Big Time! I'm not from the Inner Cities, Nor am I a crying Baby.
Does Everything have to be about Money? This is also another Great reason for the BOYCOTT!
Roger needs to STEP DOWN NOW! For the love of the game, We must Boycott for both issues.
Good Luck Fans.
If it's only a game it would not be pulling in 9 billion a year. It's a business. If it is only a game then we dont have to watch it.
I have been a football fan since I was in grade school (and I'm a girl!!!). I watch all games, not just my team, because I enjoy a good game. Of course you will have a ref miss a call, mistake a call, etc. What the problem with the replacement refs is that they DO NOT KNOW THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL! They are used to the rules in their normal jobs. Giving extra time outs? Calling interference when there was none? Not calling them? The difference in the Packer/Seahawk game is that there were 2 refs standing right at the center of the play, they made different calls.....It is the fans who pay for the refs, players and the owners-I say it's time that they listen to us and get this crap over with the professional refs!!!
I see a lot of people calling for Goodell's job. If we as fans are going to place the blame on someone lets put it on the right person or people. Goodell is no more than a puppet of the team owners. Right now the owners are the ones that have caused this problem, they are the ones who wont negotiate with the refs. The only way this issue will ever gets solved is when the franchise owners come off their high horses and settle on something with the old refs.
Even the real refs miss calls. I can remember calls being made in SuperBowls that cost teams the win, yes these refs blew the call last night, but on Green Bay's td drive they called pass interference against Seattle on 3rd down, GB would've had to punt.....
Hugh NFL fan, But NOT ANY MORE!
The Packers got Ripped OFFFFFF! I'm Going to College Football. I wasn't a huge college football fan in the late past due to a No Playoff system. Now since college has a playoff system in the works, with good Refs. I will Boycott the NFL until the Game is Reversed and the Regular Refs. return. If any true fan has any BALLS at all they will also. How great would it be if there were only 2,000 or so Fans in the Stadiums and the T.V. viewing was none existint?
The Refs. Should truely make $120,000 a season, Just like any bottom wage entertainer does.
They risk injury and are Total Pros. COME ON LETS DO THIS!!!!
I'm done. I just got my Sunday afternoons back. I will not watch another NFL game this season.
Simply disgusting, it's the only words that come to mind
I am a huge Packer fan and the Seahawks really brought it on. It is really too bad that the game was decided by crappy officiating.
College ball baby
Not only am boycotting NFL until the regular officials are back. I think it is time to replace Roger Goodell. He is not looking out for the best interest of the players and their safety anymore. HE NEEDS TO GO. Last nights game was the worst of the worst. Please all think about skipping the games, get out of the house with your family. Shut off the games until we get the game back that we all love to watch. I was totaly impressed with Green Bay showing total integrity leaving the field and not yelling at the refs or players. The temp refs need to go NOW!
The NFL is a joke! No integrity. No leadership, and very little brains from what I can see. They'll wait until a player has a career ending injury (not called) who then sues the NFL for it. That's my guess. Goodell is simply spineless. Should run for political office he is so two faced.
At least we still can watch MLB and College Football. Scary when I start to think that those sports have more integrity than the, uh, what is that laughingstock called again, oh that's right nfl. Next thing Goodell will start forcing them to wear pantyhose. Real football is dead, this is just one of the death throws...
The call of a td at end of game has got to be one of the worst calls in the history of the NFL. If the league doesn't get regular refs back soon by seasons end there will be no fans left. As a Raiders fan I know about my team having to play against the other team plus the refs now the Packer fans are feeling the anger I feel every week. Goddell needs to check his Godcomplex at the door and get the real refs back.
Greed wins as integrity loses. Real refs and the NFL are to blame. I will not watch or patronize football any longer. Get the NHL negotiations over and Let's Play Hockey.
I live in Ohio and I have already purchased plane and game tickets to go to San Francisco. It would cost us over a 1000 dollars to boycott the game.
I already stop watching football. Didn't see the game last nite or the play every1 is talking about.I love watching a good game not this b.s with officials that don't know the rules of the game
We need the ref's who know how to call a game that are enjoyed by millions. What's the hold up make a deal with both sides can be happy with and get our ref's on field. And be done with the replacement refs who can't call a NFL game to save their life
Why does this author take the side of the refs in the labor dispute? Seems ignorant to me. Labor disputes are complicated. This is better than not have coal during the winder in the early 1902. Who's fault was that? Yes, it's embarrassing to the NFL to have this problem, but I'm just as upset at the regular refs who make many times more money than I do for a dream job. Besides, like this is the first time a game has been wrecked by bad calls? Anyone remember the two terrible calls AGAINST the Seahawks in the Superbowl no less? REFS: Quit whining about making hundreds of thousands of dollars, quit ruining my favorite sport, and get on the field.
Last Time.
Please........
Boycott Thurs nite foorball.
After watching the Monday Night game last night I sent an email to Roger Goodell informing him that I wouldn't be watching any more NFL games until the refs are back. I know I'm only one person, but....join in!
No way should we boycott. Reason being, It is up to the NFL to demand that the refs return and give them a 5 day window. If after five days they are not in agreement then the hammer should come down and the entire system be overhauled. Refs who do not cross the picket line should be fired and new refs should be installed and given the proper training. They will get better as time goes on. This whole thing is a disgrace to the game. Fire them all and deal with it. Unions are a joke. As we see all over the country,there destroying it. Greedy, arrogant and destructive is no way to run a union. FIRE THEM ALL AND LETS PLAY FOOTBALL.
In closing, The commissioner is to blame here. We as fans should not have to give up anything. The NFL is loaded$$. If they want it to end give them the stupid money and rewrite there contract and stipulate. "Under no circumstances will they walk out during a season. Easy enough. those who disagree, Go find anther ref job in peewee league somewhere.
Maybe if they take some cash away from some of the over paid under performing players there wouldn't be an issue at all. While that subject has been mentioned, what ever happened to the sportsmanship in the NFL. This isn't a hockey arena. All the after the play hands on needs to stop or start to eject all involved. If the higher ups would learn to be firm, fair and consistant towards every team, from the owners down to the newest bench warmer, most of this stuff would not be seen on the field. Boycott is a great way to get a point accross.
Proof, is in the Pudding.The Owners, DO NOT CARE!!!!
Absolutely atrocious!I would call for an outright Boycott.
Nothing will change; until you take $$$$, out of the Owners Coffers.
They are so Smug and Defiant; we need to call them out, for the Righteous,
Profiteering Pigs, THEY ARE!!!SHUT IT DOWN....NOW!!!!!
terrible spelling, sorry in a hurry
I tittered Boycott Thurs nite foorball. Pass it on. I hope people who are not enjoying seson do the same.
Without professional-grade officiating, how is this professional football? If this is how the NFL plans to run the games, with rank amateurs calling the shots, then it can no longer call itself America's premier professional league. It's like calling a meeting of Senators at a strip club "Congress."
Even with the regular officials, bad calls are made and not reversed, even with the steely TV eye's recall capability. Not only that, but on any given play, a flag could be thrown for both offensive and defensive holding, yet holding calls are usually few and far between.
The only real problem with the replacement officials is that they do not have a grasp of the current NFL rules, which knowledge takes several seasons to acquire.
Yes, I fault the owner's greed and cavalier attitude towards the fan base in the current dispute. The money difference that is blocking an acceptable solution is chump change to the league principals--give the regular officials what they want and salvage the season.
MORE FUN! MORE FUN!
THESE GUYS ARE A RIOT TO WATCH!
LETS GET SOME COMMUNITY COLLEGE REFS!
Have been not enjoying season due to officiating inconsistency whichhas led to low quality of product being provided by NFL. After last nights game I am now unplugged for remainder of season and maybe beyond. I stopped supporting and following Major League Baseball after the owners and players allowed the strike to occur in the 1990's. So NFL I am only one guy however I am sure there are others like me who are now very turned off and willing to tune out your product because it appears the League believes it is infallible.
It wasn't the Packer -Seahawk fiasco, it is everything. The Raven's - Patriot game was down right dangerous. Many players have been injured, and one could end up dead. End this farce of substitutes and end the game or make it safe.
Boycotting is not fair to the players. Besides, now we have a clear example of the triumph of the incompetent and it's fun as hell to watch. At the end of the day or night it's only a game.
The NFL has become a joke..these referees suck...i want the real refs back..i would absolutely live to participate in a boycott...the packers clearly won that game..its hard for the Seahawks to win a big time game like last night without the support of fake fill in refs...BRING BACK THE REAL REFS!!!
Did you see the Vikings game there was a lot of bad calls there he used to Time outs and had none
Given, the replacement refs are aweful and need to go. But I cant wait for the real refs to get back and everyone still complain about them. They will always be an excuse no matter how good they are.
I am switching to "Lingerie" football....officiating is secondary to uniforms.
The NFL owners won't give the crumbs off their table to the real referees, even as the replacement officials are undeniably failing. That tells me the NFL owners view the value of fan support as less than the crumbs off the table. I can't in good faith give money or time to that.
I am absolutely a diehard football fan. I run three fantasy football leagues and I have Directv only because of the NFL Sunday Ticket. I watch football all day Sunday and I don't miss the Sunay night or Thursday night games regardless of who is playing. I would absolutely join any boycott for as long as it would take. If you were to take all judgement calls out of the current situation you would still have to deal with these amateurs not knowing basic rules and enforcement of timeouts, challenges, penalties, etc. How does that happen? The NFL changed the way the game has been played in the recent past with rules to protect players. Those changes seem to suddenly be gone as well. Player safety which has been touted by the league is now a joke. You don't pick and choose. It is important or it is not.
Before that play i had already turned away from the game because of the pass interfearence that wasn't called.I am not a fan of green bay but last night a win was taken away because of more than one blown call.The NFL is becoming a joke with these referee's.The games are not fun to watch that much anymore.I've seen better pop warner games than what is now on tv and that is sad for the NFL of this era.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH