So, I was kicking back the other day, watching some UFL action. Didn’t really have a specific team I was pulling for, just enjoying the game, you know? Then something caught my eye on the field.
Noticing Something Different
It was one of the officials. A woman. Now, I know women officiate in sports, obviously, but seeing her right there on the field during this UFL game just kinda registered. Didn’t think much of it at first, just noted it and went back to watching the plays.
But then I started paying a bit more attention to her specifically. Just curious, I guess. How she moved, how she made calls, how she interacted with the players and the other refs.
Watching the Calls
She was right in the thick of it. You gotta be sharp in football, things happen fast. A flag goes down, and suddenly all eyes are on you. I saw her make a few calls, looked pretty decisive.
- Quick Judgments: Didn’t seem to hesitate much. Pointed, signaled, made the announcement.
- Positioning: Always seemed to be hustling to get a good view of the play. That takes effort, constantly moving.
- Keeping Calm: Players get heated sometimes, coaches too. From what I could see on the broadcast, she kept a cool head.
It got me thinking about how tough that job must be. Forget just knowing the rules, which is already a mountain of stuff. You need insane focus. Can’t let your mind wander for a second, or you’ll miss something crucial. That quote about volleyball refs being alert? Yeah, multiply that by ten for football, with all the chaos happening on every play.
Confidence is Key
What stood out was her confidence. You absolutely need that. If you look unsure, players and coaches will eat you alive. She just seemed like she belonged there, part of the crew, doing her job. No big fuss made about it, which is probably how it should be.
Didn’t notice any weird reactions from the crowd noise or anything either, just the usual yelling about calls they didn’t like, directed at the stripes in general, not her specifically. Which, again, is normal.
Just Doing the Job
So yeah, that was my little observation session. Started out just watching a game, ended up focusing on the ref for a bit. It was just cool to see her out there, handling business in a high-pressure environment. Made me appreciate the skill all these officials, men or women, bring to the game. It’s definitely not a job for the faint of heart.
