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SAN FRANCISCO – NFL referees are under the biggest microscope they’ve ever been under. With cameras from every angle and the slowest movements possible, it’s pretty easy to criticize referees from the couch.
But Rob Gronkowski, who watches a lot of football as part of “NFL on FOX,” believes the league needs to do something to increase the quality of calls.
‘Refereeing has been in the air. I don’t want to sit here and really criticize refereeing because it’s very difficult. It’s really difficult 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 on the spot. So it’s tough,” Gronkowski told Pak Gazette Digital on Radio Row.
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Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots argues with field judge Mike Weatherford after receiving a penalty for his last hit on Tre’Davious White of the Buffalo Bills during NFL game action 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 referees should be paid a very good salary and compensated, and they should be full-time. From what I’ve heard, they’re not full-time and they also have other jobs. That makes absolutely no sense,” Gronkowski said flatly.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski pleads his case to New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (left) and a field official after an altercation. (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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“This is 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 a little bit of time off in the summer, but they have to be around the football game at all times. 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 decisions, and it’s very inconsistent… That needs to stop, and I think it stops. will stop, you know, if they’re full time.”
The officials found themselves in the spotlight earlier this postseason during the divisional round matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Buffalo Bills. Brandin Cooks had a ball stripped from him by Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillan after he apparently completed the catch. The referees ruled it an interception, taking the ball away from the Bills. Buffalo received two defensive flags on Denver’s next 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/Image Images)
Goodell defended the officials during his pre-Super Bowl LX press conference on Monday.
“I’m so surprised at how good our referees are. We spent time all week analyzing various angles and still debating it a week later. These guys have to make a split-second decision, and the men and women in our field are incredible. I think they’ve proven time and time again that they’re really wonderful at what they do,” he said.
“On the other hand, it’s a difficult sport to officiate. It’s fast. It’s fast. And we have to be able to use technology, in my opinion, to try to prevent obvious mistakes. Now, not all of them are obvious. I think, depending on the team you’re on, they’re potentially obvious to your eyes. But at the end of the day, we see that if there’s an obvious mistake, we need to be able to fix it. And I think technology can help with that.”
Shawn Smith was named the head referee for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, marking the first time he has led a team in the big game.
