Navy football fans have another reason to dislike NFL replacement officials.
While the rest of the football world focuses on the last play of last night’s Seattle-Green Bay game (Seen any good stories lately? Probably a few.), a familiar name has popped up on the list of refs the league has used in the place of its locked-out men in black (and white).
We turn things over to The Birddog‘s Twitter account:
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/navybirddog/status/250272001359507456″]A quick history lesson: In 1999, a few decades deep into Notre Dame’s win streak over Navy, the Mids had a 24-21 lead in South Bend with less than 90 seconds to play. Notre Dame faced a 4th-and-10 and appeared to gain nine or so yards on a pass play, a result that would’ve ended the drive, broken the streak and sent Annapolis into hysterics. Instead, the spot earned the Irish a first down, prolonging what would become the game-winning touchdown march.
The line judge responsible for the spot? Perry Hudspeth.
The line judge in Sunday’s Redskins-Bengals game, which had its own fourth-quarter ref antics? Take a guess (scroll to the bottom). Hudspeth’s retirement from officiating apparently lasted one season.
Three key points. First, nobody tell John Feinstein about this. The legendary sportswriter, author and former Navy radio commentator has made his feelings on this particular official fairly clear. Key quote from a 2009 piece: “People ask me why I won’t forgive Hudspeth ten years later. Here’s my answer: the day he admits he screwed up is the day I’ll forgive him.”
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, right, speaks with line judge Perry Hudspeth in the first half of a Sept. 10 game between the Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in Baltimore. (Associated Press photo by Nick Wass)
Second, as anyone who’s ever attended a youth sporting event is keenly aware, sports officiating may be the most thankless job in all of athletics. Rarely will a position reward its best and brightest with complete anonymity (OK, aside from Mr. Biceps over here) and turn a single mistake into a career-defining debacle.
Third, Hudspeth’s 38-year officiating career gives him decidedly more experience than some of the other replacements who have been thrust into the national spotlight. Other officials have come from the Lingerie Football League or low-level college ball, according to the New York Times. Also, sometimes they’re apparently recruited via New Orleans Saints fan sites — briefly, at least.
So despite what Navy fans may think of Hudspeth’s spot-making prowess, he’s a natural choice for NFL replacement duty, and a cadre of officials with his level of experience likely would’ve avoided many of the problems the league’s faced this season.
Of course, a few more statements like this one and the labor talks could speed up, sending Hudspeth and his fellow replacement officials back into retirement. Or lingerie football. Or maybe not.
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I read theis morning the NFL IS USING A REPLACEMENT REFEREE THAT WAS FIRED FROM THE LINGURIE FOOTBALL LEAGUE. I do remember the game Hudspeth SCREWED NAVY THAT DAY. But strangely a lot of games in which ND plays strange calls seem to happen (maybe that’s why ND is the most hated college football team )
Hudspeth? Hudspeth? That cheat? He does not belong on any football field!
Friends who are Notre Dame fans and who saw that infamous game still lol. Hudspeth is called “Keep the streak alive, no matter what Perry.”
John Feinstein is one of many who see how an official used to cheat and get away with it!
I suppose it is useless to point out that Hudspeth’s spot was reviewed after the game by ACC supervisors responsible for grading out their officials game performances and Hudspeth’s spot was not challenged. Full disclosure requires that I acknowledge that I am a retired Navy officer and personal friends with Perry.