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If there was ever an official photo of this whole replacement ref debacle, this is it:

Rachel__Nichols
If there was ever an official photo of this whole replacement ref debacle, this is it http://t.co/5eIGjRdR
9:07 PM Sep 24 2012

Touchdown!

No, wait.

And then a million angry Green Bay fans and twenty happy Seattle fans...

11:23 AM Sep 25 2012

Props Given:
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11:24 AM Sep 25 2012

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FLAGRANT FOUL. TWO FREE THROWS!!

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12:23 PM Sep 25 2012

SIX POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!!

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12:24 PM Sep 25 2012

GO CELTICS!!

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11:25 AM Sep 25 2012

I'm looking for good articles explaining what the failed negotiations are actually trying to resolve. So far I can tell from an ESPN article they are arguing over the equivalent of $3m/year. Has anyone stashed any good articles on the negotiations?

As someone who has referred for football (at a youth level) I feel bad for these guys; they're doing their best, but the slightest rule changes from where they come from (Arena and other leagues) and the NFL make a world of difference; they are trying to get 10,000 hours of NFL refeereing experience in 6 or 7 weeks. In many ways, being a referee is more difficult than being a player as you have many more individuals to watch, track, and analyze in split-second decisions if they are violating the rules. Basically like being the QB, which is one of the hardest mental positions on the field.

11:37 AM Sep 25 2012

Here's some information about the referees' backgrounds:

"Rhone-Dunn, the back judge who had the best view of the play and initially signaled interception, is the most experienced member of the crew. Formerly a Big 12 official, he worked the Sugar Bowl back in 2007 and arena games since then. Easley, the side judge who overruled Rhone-Dunn, is a banker from California, who has officiated high school and junior college games, both football and basketball. Elliott, the head referee who should have gotten his crew together and asked them what they saw before signaling for a touchdown, is a real estate agent in Texas who has worked high school, college, and indoor football."

http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/features/2012/nfl_2012/week_3/derrick_rhone_dunn_wayne_elliott_lance_easley_here_s_everything_we_know_about_the_refs_who_botched_the_packers_seahawks_game_.html

12:50 PM Sep 25 2012

Props Given:
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Wow. His background makes him seem qualified to be a ref.

It must be very hard to call games.

6:55 PM Sep 25 2012

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