Question about Referees

[fawkesrx]

I have an interesting question. Does anybody know if a referee in a major sports (soccer in a world competition, mlb, ncaa, nhl, nba, or nfl) has ever caused a major disturbance in the game. I ask because I was watching replays on ESPN on Monday and one of the Seahawks defenders ran into one of the refs while chasing Reggie Bush. So I wonder, has a ball (or puck) or a ball carrier ever hit a referee. Has a referee ever caused an upset that changed the course of a game.

Thanks for your replies

[Wheell]

I know referees have been seriously injured before. Also, one referee hit a football player (Orlando Brown?) in the eye with his penalty flag and damaged his eye and career.

[louisvillekid]

I know referees have been seriously injured before. Also, one referee hit a football player (Orlando Brown?) in the eye with his penalty flag and damaged his eye and career.

i remember that, when the ref hit that guy in the eye with his flag, that was just a freak accident.
i've seen refs get hit with passes before in football. and i've seen 2nd base umps get hit with balls, and the ball get deflected or makes some wild bounce.
i'm pretty sure refs or umps are considered part of the field of play, they are supposed to do their best to get out of the way, but if something hits them, its just part of the game.

[Doc JS]

Ref at a UNC football game a few years ago had a heart attack during the game. They started CPR on the scene and revived him either in route to the hopsital or in the ER, as I recall.

[bigboydan]

John Mcsherry had a heart attack and died while working behind the plate in a Reds game a few years back, however I can't remember if they completed that game or not though.

[ShamsWoof10]

Yeah I remember some of these examples... I think a ref. did cause an upset one time that I can remember... Actually I am not totally certain but there was a Nebraska/Missouri <<<was it..? I think this game started the "Instant Classic" games... One the last play a ball hit an official then hit off of a few players before it was finally caught for a TD... The one thing I am foggy on is the part about the ball hitting the official first...

[pavyracer]

Yeah I remember some of these examples... I think a ref. did cause an upset one time that I can remember... Actually I am not totally certain but there was a Nebraska/Missouri <<<was it..? I think this game started the "Instant Classic" games... One the last play a ball hit an official then hit off of a few players before it was finally caught for a TD... The one thing I am foggy on is the part about the ball hitting the official first...

It didn't hit the ref. The Nebraska receiver bicycle kicked the ball, as in soccer, and made the catch before the ball hit the ground.

[bigboydan]

It didn't hit the ref. The Nebraska receiver bicycle kicked the ball, as in soccer, and made the catch before the ball hit the ground.

Ah yes... Matt Davison is the guy your referring too pavyracer. He's doing the Huskers radio broadcasting these days.

[pavyracer]

You are right. Those were the good old days. Now my Huskers are a disgrace.

[cobra_king]

BBD, they never did complete that game. I believe it was actually opening day between the Expos and Reds and he had the heart attack in the 1st inning. Watching them perform CPR on him and realizing that he might be dying in front of our eyes was an eerie experience.

[ShamsWoof10]

It didn't hit the ref. The Nebraska receiver bicycle kicked the ball, as in soccer, and made the catch before the ball hit the ground.

Great call on the bicycle kick that's right I remember.. I did say I wasn't sure... Great game still though... Nebraska hasn't been the same since you're right..

[Stumpage]

I know referees have been seriously injured before. Also, one referee hit a football player (Orlando Brown?) in the eye with his penalty flag and damaged his eye and career.

Yeah, Orlando missed the next few years if I recall. I also remember that he went all "Tom Lysiak" on the referee in question and gave him the ol' 2 handed shove to the ground.

[bigboydan]

BBD, they never did complete that game. I believe it was actually opening day between the Expos and Reds and he had the heart attack in the 1st inning. Watching them perform CPR on him and realizing that he might be dying in front of our eyes was an eerie experience.

Thats right it was on opening day.

I still remember that video footage they showed of John McSherry walking away from the back of home plate and collapsing right there on the field.