Official’s Corner – I’m Not Part of Your Team—or Your Conspiracy Theory

I’m Not Part of Your Team—or Your Conspiracy Theory

I’m not on your team. I’m not against your team, either. And despite what you may be yelling from the stands, I’m not part of some grand conspiracy to ruin your season.

I don’t care who wins. I don’t care which team has the better record, which coach complains the loudest, or which fan base thinks the officials have been “against them for years.”My job is to call what I see, apply the rules fairly, stay in position, and be ready for the next play.

Here’s the brutally honest part: officials miss calls. I’ve missed calls. Every official has. But being wrong on a play doesn’t mean someone is dishonest, biased, or trying to control the outcome. It means a human being made a split-second decision and didn’t get it right.

And if your team loses, chances are it wasn’t because of one call. There were dozens of plays, decisions, turnovers, missed shots, penalties, and opportunities that led to the final result.

The game belongs to the players and coaches. I’m there to keep it fair, safe, and moving—not to write the ending.

So cheer for your team. Question a call if you must. But leave the conspiracy theories at home.