2007-04-14 04:35:19 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Though it may appear as though that is true at times, I doubt it happens. I think the refs are either blind and have no idea what's going on so they make something up so as not to look like a moron, and then turn out to be even more of a moron (things like what is holding and what isn't or as of late, what a sack is ...refer to the Tampa Bay vs Cincinati game to know what I'm talking about).
Super Bowl XL is an example of ref bias. I have no clue what they were seeing on those plays, and I'm not alone on that. But to say they got paid to do that? Nah I don't think so, it might have just been the crowd being mostly Steelers fans and everyone wanting them to win (including myself actually) so maybe they were swayed without realizing it...who knows? Thats my theory.
2007-04-14 06:06:27 · answer #1 · answered by Carolina Kitten 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Think logically for a minute.
Put yourself in the referees' position. You have a job that pays you tens of thousands of dollars per year, and you could be doing it for many years if you are good (and you no doubt are good to get that far in the profession).
So if someone came up to you and asked if you'd be willing to call a game favoring a certain team, there would certainly be a chance that you'd be caught (officials' calls are monitored by the league office every week, not to mention the chance of word of the bribe leaking out).
So how much would it take for you to risk all of that to make a bad call deliberately? Probably so much that someone would have to bet an incredible amount of money to make such a payment worthwhile, and that sort of bet would create all sorts of suspicion in such circles.
The league certainly isn't going to ask you to make calls a certain way. What would it gain by such an action? And the risk and penalty would be enormous.
An official with an alcohol, drug or gambling problem could IN THEORY need money badly enough to be tempted by such matters. Realistically, though, keeping everything fair is in everyone's best interests.
2007-04-14 11:21:34 · answer #2 · answered by wdx2bb 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If they do and the NFL finds out, the team and referee will be punished. The team will probably be fined A LOT and the referee will be banned from the NFL.
2007-04-14 04:55:21 · answer #3 · answered by Sixteen and Oh 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
of course ther are. and the nfl is in on it too. The Eagles and Patriots get special treatment and its crap. I HATE THE EAGLES.
2007-04-14 05:49:25 · answer #4 · answered by longy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are not suppose to , but who knows what happens when doors are closed...they make some calls like they are paid off though!
2007-04-14 07:36:06 · answer #5 · answered by Who Dat Chic!! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know, some times I wonder the same thing
2007-04-14 07:33:15 · answer #6 · answered by bigmouth69frav 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It certainly seems like it sometimes!
2007-04-14 09:14:38 · answer #7 · answered by thomy8s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
legally and ethically no, one the record no, off the record anything is possible.
2007-04-14 04:38:58 · answer #8 · answered by vospire s 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no, that would be to imoral
thats what people think but the refs are as fair as they can be
2007-04-14 04:39:22 · answer #9 · answered by wing-nut 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No
Or at least they shouldn't
2007-04-14 04:44:19 · answer #10 · answered by Tori 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋