Calls from football fans continue to come in following a string of controversial decision by replacement NFL referees. The controversy culminated at the end of the Monday Night Football game. And even in this day of instant internet feedback, phones rang loud Tuesday on sports talk radio.
The NFL’s regular officials have been locked out since the pre-season over a contract dispute. Critics say the replacements can't keep up with the speed of the game and many say it was bound to catch up with them.
“A lot people are making a lot out of this, understandably,” Sioux Falls ESPN 99.1 Sports Radio host Jeff Harkness said. “This is not even the worst thing that's happened in the NFL. In my opinion, the worst thing that happened was 1987, when they tried to make us believe those replacement players were the real thing.”
ESPN's 99.1 sports buffet crew set aside the part of Tuesday afternoon's show to talk about the issue, take local calls and put their own spin on the NFL controversy.
“The refs come in and say, 'We'll try to learn the rule book; we'll try to do the best we can.' They're not trying to screw up. They're over their heads,” host Brad Peterson said.
Football fans remain outraged over Monday night's incident as the NFL's temporary officials continue to intercept all the attention from teams just beginning the season.
“They have become the storyline in each and every game, each and every week,” Peterson said.
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