US

Teen Football Player Costs Team Game After Penalized for Honoring Dead Friend

The Ohio High School Athletic Association and one of its referees has come under fire for a recent decision to penalize Louisville High School after its football team‘s receiver paid tribute to a deceased friend in last Friday’s season opener. It’s a move, and a penalty, that cost the team the game.

After scoring what would have been the game’s winning touchdown — putting the team up 26-24 – Alex Schooley, along with his teammate Gavin Lovejoy, pointed their fingers toward the sky in a commemorative gesture for their friend, Dom Wilgus, 16, who was killed in a car accident the week earlier. It so happened Schooley had also been pallbearer at Wilgus’ funeral that very morning.

The referee, however, considered the gesture a display of excessive celebration and penalized Louisville, giving the opposing team, Walsh Jesuit, excellent field position. Walsh Jesuit ended up scoring a 29-yard field goal to seal the win.

Below is clip featuring the Louisville players’ gesture:

While parents and members of the community were outraged over the referee’s decision, the athletic director for Louisville High School, Rich Venuto, defended the official, saying he was simply doing his job and had no way of knowing the reason behind the Louisville players’ gesture.

“He had no idea and nor would he have and I don’t think the officials can bring in that type of emotion to what they call on the field,” Venuto told Fox 8 Cleveland on Tuesday.

“They have to call the game as they see it, that’s what their charge is according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, and that’s what we would want them to do as administrators and athletic administrators.”

Venuto reportedly holds no ill will against the referee who issued the penalty, stating the official has received a great deal of criticism for the call.

“His interpretation was that we called attention to ourselves after the touchdown was scored and during the celebration we did draw attention to ourselves and that is against the rules,” Venuto said.

Assistant Ohio High School Athletic Association Commissioner Henry Zaborniac, who oversees all of the referees in the state, told Fox 8 Monday that the rules prohibit “any excessive or prolonged act by which a player attempts to focus attention upon himself.”

“According to the National Federation of High Schools, you are not allowed to draw attention to yourself and, in fact, [the referee] even told me that he had asked our players not to do so, but then we did that again and that’s when he threw the flag,” Venuto told Fox 8.

“The gentleman who made the call is a very well known and respected official, someone we certainly hope has another one of our games this year because he has a great reputation,” added Venuto.

“The crew chief engaged me in conversation after the game and told me that this year the celebratory rule as far as drawing attention to yourself is a point of emphasis with the Ohio High School Athletic Association and at the rules interpretation meeting that the coaches and officials have to attend that was one of the things that was brought out, a very strong point so officials do not allow that to happen, so officials are looking out for that and rightfully so.”

Louisville supporters, meanwhile, say Schooley and Lovejoy were merely making a “simple gesture to heaven” that in no way could have been construed as anything other than dignified.

While Venuto claims to understand why fans are upset with referee’s decision, he credits Walsh Jesuit for a game well played and says the team and its supporters need to move on.

“I think that people’s emotions have spilled over and certainly I think unfairly for that official and the crew, and we don’t feel that way towards the official or the crew at all. You know what, we have benefited from calls in the past. This one we didn’t.”

Fox 8 Cleveland provides the report:

Do you believe Venuto’s sentiment displays appropriate sportsmanship, or is he acquiescing, perhaps too willingly, to an unfair call?

Comments (200)

1 2 3 ... 6
  • sizzler2220
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:16pm

    Gee, no flags are thrown when Obama and his left, progressive, socialsts ignore the constitution.

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:01pm

      Or when illegal aliens break the law and enter our country illegally, thus the term illegal aliens. They get to tell the boss he has to pay the same as a legal citizen, and don’t get deported

      Report Post »  
    • black9897
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:08pm

      This “rule” is the stupidest thing ever in football. Knew it was in the NFL didnt’ know they did this other places to. Wish I could do something about it.

      Report Post » black9897  
    • nannyatnannydotgov
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:34pm

      @Heffe44

      That was a stupid comment!

      Report Post » nannyatnannydotgov  
    • Mizurax
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:53pm

      No no, black9897. Kicking off from the 35 yard line is now the stupidest rule in the NFL.

      Report Post »  
    • jimtrees
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:23pm

      Bad karma for that ref. Someone should remind him of the word. being it’s coming from Ohio, one can understand.

      Report Post »  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:32pm

      What do you expect from Government schools? The ridiculously out of proportion attention that sports in school gets just adds to the lack of educational value of public schools. Coaches and parents pushing kids to take steroids and gain weight and get hit harder and harder. Many of them trying to live vicariously through the kids to relive their glory days. The whole thing is just sick. And for what? The one in a billion chance to make big money? The whole sports obsession in this country is twisted.

      Report Post »  
    • WeDontNeedNoStinkingBadges
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 4:10am

      EXCESSIVE … the key word of this story.

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkingBadges  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:48am

      Another thing is that the player did not cost the team the game. The Ohio High School Athletic Association and one of its referees cost the team the game!

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • SeanW
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:12pm

      Oh stop lol. Seriously, the kids involved, at least from their quotes sound to have a lot more class than the majority of posters like yourself Sizzler 2220. Nothing needs to be politicized here, it wasn’t because it was a gesture to Heaven, wasn’t because of political party or anything. They were told not to do it, they did it, they got called for it, and they lost the game because of it. At least they understand that, why can‘t y’all? :)

      Report Post »  
    • portisallen
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 2:34am

      man you fking idiots want to put this black president in every negative position you could think of.now what in the hell does he have to do with this ****.you are all a bunch of so called evil ass christians but are nothing but devils.god did not make you people and he does not know you.

      Report Post »  
  • SweetDoug
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:13pm

    Since when did we start punishing kids in sorts for excessive celebration?
    •∆•
    V-V

    Report Post » SweetDoug  
    • skippy6
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:28pm

      For the same reason they don‘t keep score in kids games it’s not politically correct and fair, everyone’s a winner!!!

      Report Post » skippy6  
    • JRook
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:06pm

      About the same time we started treating adolescents as a crime. They are referred to as adolescents because they can’t control their emotions and responses as well as an adult. The celebration did not seem long and protracted and reasonable given it was a go ahead score. The punishments in Ohio for underage drinking, traffic violations etc. levied against adolescents is exceedingly harsh and the fines are nothing more than indirect taxation. Again, adolescents will experiment, act out at times and do stupid things. They aren’t criminals they are adolescents. It is amazing to see my generation put forth penalties for actions that we all were guilty of and got some slack on because we were young and not repeat offenders. If the worst things a kid does is celebrate after scoring a touchdown, drinking a few beers, smoking a cigarette and getting a speeding ticket I’d say they are other kids parents, referees, teachers, school officials, police and the courts should focus on.

      Report Post »  
    • anigmanm
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:40pm

      when the poor player that sits on the benchs mother complained that her little boy felt bad for not playing

      Report Post »  
    • MontanaRob
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:12pm

      JRook Posted : About the same time we started treating adolescents as a crime. They are referred to as adolescents because they can’t control their emotions and responses as well as an adult.
      ————————————————————————–
      Since progressives(leftists) are perpetually adolescent, why the heck do they get a break?

      Report Post » MontanaRob  
    • maske002
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:59pm

      There have been such rules for as long as I’ve been around football; can’t speak for other sports. Football is designed to be a team game, and players are not supposed to draw attention to themselves. I don’t necessarily agree with the call in this case, but some of the things I’ve seen most definitely should be flagged.

      Report Post »  
    • Suzee
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:28am

      this is ‘high school’ high school the next will be calls on the t-ball field. We have to pay for
      ‘these experts to go to high schools to accommodate students who are grieving after a tragedy happens’; but when a completely healthy student finds a way to grieve and display it then it is called ‘foul’. This guy that pointed towards the sky was exhibiting a very healthy emotion and should just be left alone while grieving for his friend. It is all a part of becoming a healthy adult. He should neither be praised nor scolded for his display of grieving; just left alone. Did he go out and show aggression for the loss of his friend or did he curl up into a ball or did he need to be rescued for trying to kill himself? No he grieved by conquering something on the athletic field (making a touchdown) and then dedicating that to his friend. NOW THAT IS DOWNRIGHT HEALTHY AND NO COUNSELOR COULD HAVE HELPED HIM TO DO BETTER! Geez our society is not letting men be men or women be women……can we start over?

      Report Post » Suzee  
    • ohyaok
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:55am

      The problem stemmed from pointing to heaven. That might be considered religous by some, hence excessive.

      Report Post » ohyaok  
    • JRook
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:51am

      @MontanaRob Not sure I would identify the adolescent state as being associated with zealots from one side or the other.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:53am

      @ohyaok Perhaps to obvious but the referee might have interpreted the point as a number one sign as in We or I am number one.

      Report Post »  
    • SeanW
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:14pm

      Because in, at least High School, the game is still about team, and still somewhat about fun. Excessive celebrations have always been frowned upon and something penalized. Last time I played ball over 20 years ago these rules were in place. Maybe if you understood the ideas behind sportsmanship you would understand why showboating is neither appreciated nor acceptable.

      Report Post »  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:12pm

    Those that can… do. Those that can’t… become referees.

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
    • PoliticiansRCrooks
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:18pm

      yup, you got it right. they MAD

      Report Post » PoliticiansRCrooks  
    • johnnycatt
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 7:06am

      As a referee, i do NOT find that offensive, but I will give y’all some perspective. I DO NOT now the particular rule in Ohio for “excessive celebration,” but in my league, it can be ANYTHING the referee thinks is something OTHER THAN a spontaneous action or ANY gesture that seems rehearsed (even if one kid scores three times and after each score he waves to his mom — that can be considered “excessive” or “rehearsed”)…

      now, on the other side… some referees take way too much pride in calling penalties. It’s “little man syndrome”… most of those guys were never good at athletics and feel they were cheated so they call every little, tiny infraction just to finally be able to “dominate the field”… not me! I’m kinda like “no blood, no foul”…

      I find just telling the kids to calm down is enough to get them to show “good sportsmanship”…

      Report Post »  
    • maske002
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:06pm

      Actually, most Referees love the game and have a respect for the game which leads us to take the time to learn the game at a deeper level than even players and coaches. Our job is to ensure the game is played fairly and according to the rules. There has been an epidemic of extremely poor sportsmanship, one-upmanship, and self-aggrandizing at all levels. Football is a game of intensity and respect both for your own team and opponents. This is why sports governing bodies across the country are placing more emphasis on these Unsportsmanlike Penalties. I don’t necessarily agree with the call, I’ve seen many much more egregious examples, which I have flagged myself. Referees do not go out onto the field to change the way a game ends. We would like nothing more than to officiate invisibly and have others not even know we are there. However, we have to enforce the rules as they are written, that is our responsibility.

      Report Post »  
  • BlazingInSC
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:12pm

    For those of you saing the rule is dumb – I agree – but it doesn’t change the fact that the actions were subjectively interpreted by the ref to be excessive (it wasn’t just the pointing – the kid who leapt into the arms of the other didn’t help matters). The ref just called the penalty as he saw it.

    For those of you who are complaining that he should have made an exception (someone will argue that point) – what?!? The refs don’t get to pick and choose which rules to apply.

    For those of you who are politicizing it – get over yourselves… Something tells me this wasn’t a politically motivated move by the ref to give the advantage to the opponents.

    Here’s a tip to anybody posting here in the future… If you are mad, sad, happy, excitable, etc – about a particular article, don’t post — Unless and until you can learn to be objective and to remove your emotions from your opinion, you really shouldn’t post, because you look stupid with the stupid comments.

    Report Post »  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:15pm

      BLAZING, For you, specifically: You’re about 1/100th as smart as you think you are. Your “advice” will be processed with that in mind.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:29pm

      Blaze.
      Yep TOTAL OBJECTIVITY,
      No self thought, ideas or subjectivity allowed.
      I am glad the founders reacted with objectivity and no subjective ideas were discussed.
      “All men are created equal.” (now that is an objective frame of mind.) NOT
      Model, go ahead, bust me apart too.

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:31pm

      @ Blazinginsc

      Stop, just stop. First the retards in Connecticut soccer refuse to keep score, and now penalizing kids for celebrating. The politically correct nonsense has got to end.

      If the other team gets their tiny little feelings hurt because an opponent does a little celebration, then I would suggest taking it up with the losing teams kids who he didn’t have prepared to play and to win.

      There’s nothing excessive about that video. Nothing at all.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:33pm

      Hey Blazin’
      Here’s a tip for you….We are not robots!!! We all have emotions whether you like it or not. Who are you to tell others when we can and can’t post? The whole point is to express yourself about what you just read. Frankly your comment was pretty stupid.

      Report Post » 8jrts  
    • RavenGlenn
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:17pm

      Excessive celebrations is what you call it when the kid starts breakdancing, doing backflips, runs around in circles, etc.

      Everyone congratulating the touchdown scorer and someone pointing at the air for a moment is not ‘excessive celebration’. I’m sorry, it just isn’t. The people in charge of that stuff need to get a life and let kids be kids.

      Can anyone seriously watch that video and say with an honest face that there was anything excessive in it?

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:56pm

      The rule is against “excessive” celebration. That means that some judgment is required. This referee pointedly refused to use any judgment about what constituted excess and instead penalized the mere act of celebration. He should be fired. But the rule itself is stupid because it is vague.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • cmabillm12
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:58pm

      Then stop all types of this behavior, including college an pro teams!!

      Report Post »  
    • IN_THE_MIDDLE
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:07pm

      @cmabillm12

      that IS the college rule… the high schools follow the COLLEGE rules because THATS the next place they’re going… I’ve seen MANY College and High School football games that the very same penalty was given so its nothing new or leftist or liberal or PC about it. Thats the rule and thats that.

      Just like the college basket ball rule that NO player can get paid for playing… remember “Hoosiers” the movie? all those players got kicked of the league because they got paid for playing basket ball while filming for the movie.

      Report Post » IN_THE_MIDDLE  
    • TheBMT
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:42pm

      This is pretty dumb. What are you supposed to do when you score a game winning touchdown? Mope about and act depressed with the rest of your teammates?

      Report Post »  
    • swdavis1682
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:25pm

      If ya take all emotion out of it….it is just a statement. Not a comment. Am i right? If we removed emotion from all comments, the would be no passion in anything. Your suggestion would make the world as boring as an Ohio football game!

      Report Post » swdavis1682  
    • SeanW
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:16pm

      @The10thAmendment

      NO, you have it completely ass backwards. Excessive celebrations are called poor sportsmanship. Instead of trying to politicize everything understand you are sitting there and trying to defend abhorrent actions which take away from the team experience for self gratification and greed. Are you really as dumb as your comments make you out to be?

      Report Post »  
  • Xpat48
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:10pm

    He probably voted for Obama.

    Report Post » Xpat48  
  • bhelmet
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:09pm

    The winning team will begin to be penalized for winning – ALL games will end in a tie!

    Report Post » bhelmet  
    • Navyveteran
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 7:01pm

      Call me old fashion but when I played football and you didn’t like how the other team celebrated to solve that you keep them from scoring! No touchdown, no celebration, too easy Semper Fi!

      Report Post »  
  • Hemingway in Cuba
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:08pm

    I wouldn’t have even seen the “celebration” if I didn’t read the article first. God forbid anyone is joyful for success. Give me the Ickey Shuffle and that is how football is played!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f-m-Fmd1lY&feature=related

    Report Post » Hemingway in Cuba  
    • obrotherwhoartthou
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:13pm

      exactly…political correctness has gone so off the deep end. I didn’t see it either. Just a few kids happy that their team scored. Unbelievable.

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:34pm

      Ahhh, the good old days when the Bengals were actually good. Icky ended up working as a meat-cutter, the last I heard. Nice all-around guy.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • rickbob
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:57pm

      I agree. I have watched this three times and saw no “excessive” celebration, or “drawing attention” to oneself. . . Gee!

      Report Post » rickbob  
    • GrumpyCat
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:28am

      Ditto. There wasn’t any line dancing, or tossing a cheerleader in the air. Just everyone within a few feet formed a momentary huddle just a bit closer than they were, and not a moment of delay to the game.

      Report Post »  
  • Longpond
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:08pm

    I think they just need to stop playing altogether. When it’s illegal to celebrate your victory, in an excessive manner or not, it is pointless to continue playing.

    Perhaps the players should apologies for scoring and making the opposing team appear inadequate. A poetic reading after every play emphasizing how wrong it was for the team to pursue its selfish agenda while trampling the human rights of the other team. In reverent tones of course. This could be a real teaching moment, as the players would soon come to the realization that human rights and privileges are for the other guy, never for themselves.

    When i was playing and the opposing team scored, and rubbed it in our faces, I was motivated all the more to prevent this from happening again. Now i guess everyone wants to cry and lawyer up.

    Just stop playing. It has really gotten to the point where the game is pointless.

    Report Post »  
  • Rick300
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:08pm

    Let them PLAY!! You “SHOW BOAT” you get tossed from the game…could it be that easy?

    Report Post » Rick300  
    • Grylls81
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:44pm

      I agree, let them play!! Oh yeah, they did let them play. The team that celebrated lost because they suck at defense and special teams. The penalty would have been assessed on the kick-off so even if the team returned it to the 50 that still means they made it at least the 12 yard like to line up a 29 yard field goal. I would be more pissed at my team for falling apart then this ref’s call!

      Report Post »  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:08pm

    Twenty years from now, the loss will mean nothing. Remebering a dead friend will mean everything.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • aggiebrewer
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:08pm

    As a High School football official in the state of Texas I will tell you that the rules for celebration or as the book says “drawing attention to one’s self” before, during or after a score have changed and it is a foul for a player to do so.

    The player leaping onto the group in the end zone SHOULD have been flagged.
    According to the rule (NCAA) as I read it there is a great amount of discretion involved. And that is what we have discussed in officials meetings. What happened in this instance was very mild and most reasonable officials would not have called it. As officials we cannot go ‘looking for boogers’ when we officiate a ballgame.
    But, in the NCAA rules what the players did is illegal.

    NOTE:
    Texas is the only state that calls NCAA rules in high school ball. Ohio could be different.

    Report Post »  
    • treehood
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:16pm

      My question is: The play is over, the officials have signaled TD,taken back the ball,only the extra point is left to be tried. Should not the penalty be assessed on the ensuing kickoff ? On a slightly different scale, shouldn’t those fools in certain NFL cities be fined and penalized for jumping into the end zone stands after they score? Personally I think they have voluntarily left the field of play without authorization and should not be allowed to return for the remainder of the game.

      Report Post »  
    • aggiebrewer
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 7:26pm

      Treehood,

      The celebration is part of the previous play. In the old rule excessive celebration would be assessed on ensuing kickoff which was a dead ball foul.. Under new rule it is treated as a live ball foul and therefore negates the score. Good Question though. As far as NFL, that is Sunday rules. Lots of differences on Sunday.

      Report Post »  
    • IN_THE_MIDDLE
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:53am

      Thank you for clearifying to many people who seem to THINK they know everything about football. From the sounds of what the Ohio ref said they are becoming MORE strict as of this year so it would make sense that this would happen.

      To put any political spin or bias on it would be ridiculous, and as I’ve seen already almost everyone here has no problem doing so.

      Again thank you for the clearification!

      Report Post » IN_THE_MIDDLE  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:07pm

    Could be worse. I’ve heard of people wanting to ban cheering and booing altogether. It hurts their self-esteem as they say.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:05pm

    Pretty lame. Probably a liberal referee.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:04pm

    As is so often the case and as they say, “A few bad apples spoil(ed) the barrel”. Sadly, the “few bad apples” who lead to these rules being enacted are, with no exceptions I can think of, wanna-be gangster street thugs who, for lack of football talent, would be slinging crack in the ‘hood. Now, we all get to suffer for their sub-humanity.

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • Patriot Z
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:04pm

    god forbid you are happy about winning. or honor a fallen friend..i men this kid should be ashamed…how dare he win while others loose…in fact he is white so its racist too….seriously is this what we are becomming…poor looser, poor winners, and just plain poor people?

    Report Post » Patriot Z  
  • 8jrts
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:03pm

    Go out and win, do your best, but don’t enjoy it or you will be punished!! Oh yeah….It’s just like libs want.

    Report Post » 8jrts  
    • newt
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:09pm

      what in the world do “libs” have to do with this?

      Report Post »  
    • whatthecrazy
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:54pm

      Newt what do they not have to do with it they basicly are ruining everthing they get involved with .Didnt they also vote Dumbo into our White House?

      Report Post »  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:07pm

      Newt,
      It’s the lib philosophy!! work hard, but don’t enjoy the rewards of your hard work (don’t make money or if you do you get punished… get it taxed away from you). Go for a touchdown, but don’t be happy about it!! (hang your head and walk away or get punished) If you don’t see how these are similar, you need more schooling that I can give you here.

      Report Post » 8jrts  
  • PA PATRIOT
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:03pm

    What kind of society have we become.
    There is no greater honor than paying respect to the dead.
    His memory will live on through his classmates.
    Time for change.

    Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • aggiebrewer
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:09pm

      That official most likely has no idea about his friend at the time he made the call. But even if he did, are we respecters of the law or men? The rules are the rules for everyone, no?

      Report Post »  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:24pm

      Raising your arm and pointing to the heavens is against the rules?

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • aggiebrewer
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 7:27pm

      PA Patriot,
      By rule YES. But it is within the discretion of the official. In my years officiating I have never seen that flagged. The player leaping onto the pile should have been where the flag was thrown.

      Report Post »  
  • straightstreet1
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:02pm

    Shame on the Ohio High School Athletic Association and the referee! We should be able to thank God for anything at all, Isn’t that what the Constitution states?

    Report Post »  
  • MontereyWill
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:02pm

    From looking at the film it appears that the referee was okay with them jumping all over each other in celebration of the touchdown, but as soon as they start to run off the field the simple skyward one finger salute is what drew the flag. The referee can only assume the gesture is game related without being in the mind of the player. However, why throw the flag at all assuming the referee has no prior knowledge unless the gesture was misinterpreted has a more common slight towards the referee. It seems like a really bad call by a single official seeing as the player jumping on top of the pile in front of both referees did not draw a flag. This appears to be little more than a bad officiating call, and would perhaps have more to do with the ref’s high school alma mater than anything related to being anti-Christian.

    Report Post » MontereyWill  
  • vennoye
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:00pm

    Goodness, how things change!! Am glad that their “rules” were not in effect at our high school games!!! Am afraid everyone I went to school with would be kicked out these days……………

    Report Post » vennoye  
    • SeanW
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:21pm

      Not sure how old you are, or if you have ever seen or participated in high school athletics. 22 years ago when I last stepped on the high school field you couldn’t do that nonsense and people that acted like Moss, Vick, etc ya they had very short careers back in the day. Now all you care about is your own greedy entertainment and care nothing for the actual lessons and character that athletics used to build. Now its all about hte bling and the money to you people isn’t it? Such a sad sad devolution of the human condition and to see so-called conservatives supporting assinine childish greedy behavior shows me you people are dumber than even the left paints you out to be.

      Report Post »  
  • CCulotta
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:57pm

    I never understood what was wrong with excessive celebration in the first place. Its a game, have fun.

    Report Post » CCulotta  
    • Weiners Wiener
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:03pm

      Because it’s a waste of time. That’s why they also have a penalty called DELAY OF GAME, which happens BEFORE the ball is snapped. Hard to enforce one waste of time move by a team, without enforcing another. The ref was right.

      Report Post »  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:08pm

      WEINER (perfect handle, by the way), this penalty had NOTHING to do with delay of the game. You obviously know nothing about football. You may go now.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • woodyb
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:09pm

      Without passing judgment on this situation — the “excessive celebration‘ is rubbing the opponent’s noise in it, immediately after they have been humiliated by their failure in allowing you to succeed!!!!!!!!!!

      It‘s all a part of our ’there are no winners or losers (including social promotion in the classroom ) / we cannot offend anyone’ society!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:10pm

      Is it just me, or are the rest of you normal Americans out there getting sick of all the left-wing, anti-Christian bullcrap, thats being forced down our throat, by secularists, radicals, traitors and others of their ilk? Things in this country are quickly progressing past the “nannystate” and about to arrive at totalitarianism and slavery……I see something coming on the horizon that can best be called civil war, and not the “pc” term of “civil unrest”. As much as I hate to think about it, we may find it is necessary, to save this country from the people who are making our destruction a full-time occupation.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • VermontPatriot
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 7:20pm

      I fear there is no way to avoid violence. The leeches are entrenched,
      and they’re not going to give up easily. Heck, they’re addicted to
      those gub’ment checks. Try to take that crack addicts pipe away…..

      Report Post » VermontPatriot  
    • SeanW
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:17pm

      Its called sportsmanship. It is something that athletes, TRUE athletes understand. Obviously you have never been a competitor and as such shouldn’t talk about things that are above you.

      Report Post »  
  • Mil-Dot
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:55pm

    Well of course a govt employee commie is going to side with another govt employee commie against the wishes of the “people” (serfs). It is what they do.

    Report Post »  
    • crazedbanshee
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:01pm

      Far from excessive celebration. Makes me wonder who the official was hoping would win that he was so easily set off.

      Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:53pm

    15 yard penalty for the Ref, Excessive Stupidity

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:52pm

    Excessive celebration is when you run up and down the field taunting the opposition or their fans. Break dancing, multiple back flips for example… There is nothing excessive about getting excited about a game winning touchdown..

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • Scruff
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:13pm

      Agreed! If this is excessive celebration, then what exactly would qualify as “regular” celebration — smiling, maybe? And will that be allowed in the future?

      Report Post » Scruff  
  • stumblemouth
    Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:52pm

    Talk about going overboard… the players overdoing it, the fans making too much of it, the regulators being way too controlling. It’s just a game. A meaningless little game.

    Report Post » stumblemouth  
    • MThalman2
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:11pm

      Meaningless> What a moron….. did you practice everyday, did you sweat your ass off to be the best. Sounds like not. You probably are still waiting at the mailbox for that next welfare check or from uncle sam for crapping out another kid to give to a family member.
      What happens if he passes gas due to the excitement of the moment. Perhaps the libs and take a deep breath on that……

      I hate Libs……….

      Report Post » MThalman2  
    • jspec33
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:41pm

      Were you in the band in high school or just outside smoking pot. My guess is the demand would be way too much for you.

      Report Post »  
    • stumblemouth
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:08pm

      I’m no lib, and it takes more knowledge and ability to play an instrument than to throw a ball. No, I wasn’t in the band, either. Unlike you, I’m no jocksniffer with messed-up priorities.

      Report Post » stumblemouth  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 12:49am

      That’ll teach you to call a sporting event a “meaningless little Game” SOme of these sport fans can be very mean. Theres no such thing as a meaninglees game. Though that is what Obama thinks about governing the country.

      Report Post »  
1 2 3 ... 6

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love