How to Compliment a Referee Like an NFL Player

At every level of organized football, you can find someone who dislikes officials. Given that reality, offering a compliment to a referee might be the quickest way to build rapport and get him on your side. Of course, for those of us who think football offers valuable lessons in the game of life, this strategy comes in handy in other situations every day of the week.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Say hello to the referees before the game and wish them well. For example, a pat on the butt accompanied by, "Have a good one today, Ref," would not be out of line. "Are you getting taller or is it the vertical stripes? Whatever it is, you look great," could also work wonders.

2. Scream the words, "Good call, Ref!" at least three times whenever an official makes a call that benefits your team. He knows that you're not an impartial judge, but your hope is that over time, he gets conditioned to making good calls for your team because he likes the positive reinforcement.

3. Vary your approach. If you know the referee's name, use it when complimenting his performance to another player. For example, imagine you're standing on the sidelines watching the instant replay on the stadium big screen, and the referee who just made the call is standing within earshot. You might turn to another player and say, "Man, that was a nice call by John Doe. I don't think I've ever seen him make a bad call."

Tips & Warnings

• Be generous. When it comes to compliments, aim high, aim big, and aim often. If the referee has a big ego, he'll believe all your compliments and love you for saying them. If nothing else, your continuous stream of compliments will serve as comic relief and win you favor in his eyes simply because you're having a good time on the field.
• If you're going to pat a referee on the butt before the game, make sure it's a simple, uncomplicated pat. Don't pat and clinch, pat and wipe, pat and hold, pat and linger, or pat multiple times. You wouldn't want to give him the wrong idea.
• Once the game has commenced, don't touch a referee at all. Sometimes upset players will push or hit an official. The rules are such that if you even touch the referee, it's a 15-yard penalty.

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[mcdonaldrv]

on 2/12/2007 We observed that NO ONE on the other team TOUCHED player Reggie Bush while he was on the ground, therefore, the play should have been G-O-O-D. Why was the play challenged, when NO ONE on New York Giants team EVEN touched him.

This is UNFAIR. If the other team does not DO their job, do NOT blame anyone else.

Again, NO ONE touched Reggie while he was almost down. Remember, also, he was NOT COMPLETELY down, when he decided to run for it.

This should have been good.

Who is the Referee for this game?
If you know who he is, then he should be informed that people are observing his performance, as well.
Thank you,
Rita

[mcdonaldrv]

on 2/12/2007 The referee in charge of New Orleans Saints and New York Giants should have challenged the play of Reggie Bush since NO one on the other team even touched him while he was on the ground.

This comes from a experienced NFL team observer.

on 7/5/2006 Patting a ref is alright, as long as you respect his authority.

on 7/1/2006 A quick tap on the rear to a ref can either show teamwork or disrespect to his authority. As long you don't do it to try to take his good side, it shows you respect his decisions.

on 11/22/2005 A simple tap on the bottom is always a good gesture. People who refuse to tap or be tapped are just insecure with their sexuality.