Sweeney Pushes Legislation to Spike Replacement Refs
The state Senate president and West Deptford resident says player safety and fans' investments need to be protected.
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After a disastrous weekend of wrecked calls by the NFL's replacement officials—capped by a blown call to end Monday night's game between Seattle and Green Bay that resulted in a call by Packers fans to boycott the league—New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney said Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation that would nix pro games played under replacement refs in the state, citing the risk to player safety.
Sweeney's move wouldn't affect the Philadelphia Eagles, but the New York Jets and Giants who play in MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
“This past weekend in the NFL has not only made a mockery of a great sport, but shined a very bright light on how important fully trained and professional officiating is to player safety,” said Sweeney in a release. “We wouldn’t allow a factory or construction site to operate without fully trained supervisors on hand to ensure the safety of employees. Why should we do anything differently when the job site is a playing field?”
The laundry list of blown calls, phantom penalties and the inability of replacement refs to control the game, where injuries occur even when there are highly qualified refs, is proof something needs to be done, Sweeney said. He further cited the replacement refs' affect on the quality of play on the field, and said it hurts the investment fans have made in tickets and personal seat licenses, which can run into the thousands annually.
“Whether the sport is football, soccer or baseball, when referees don’t know how to properly enforce the rules, there is a real chance for unnecessary and serious injury,” said Sweeney. “If the NFL insists on putting replacement officials on the field, putting players at risk, then the state shouldn’t be playing a part in that.”
Bill Bondar
12:33 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I usually don't agree with Steve politically, but in this respect, I feel he is spot on. Get the real refs back asap!
Carrie
1:29 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Seriously? We are PAYING this man??? Is this where my money is focused? I am paying out the wazoo in taxes, drowning in debt, and while this man could be doing something WORTHWHILE he is worried about a freakin' FOOTBALL GAME??? And why am I the only one saying this??? Who GIVES a crap about a violent sport? Seriously, if he is so worried about games, why don't he work on a plan to allow the KIDS to actually PLAY at school and run on the playground? The kids aren't allowed to play FB in many districts...Dodgeball and tag are also out! So, if you want to worry about GAMES, why not put the efforts on the LITTLE kids and let the BIG kids figure it out themselves!!!
WDNeedsHelp
1:36 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Sweeney should spike himself....sellout another union Steve...
don keeler
2:25 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
With everthing this state has to worry about, he's worried about playing football games with real refs. Once again, our Senator Sweeney forgets why he was elected to serve the residents.
Madeline Fucci
4:44 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
If you're the last man standing with Sweeney, I hope this latest act of stupidity will have you looking for a new leader. Steve Sweeney seems to be losing control. If his advisors suggested this boneheaded idea, I wonder if his inner circle is setting him up. Steve appears to be willing to bite off NJ's nose to spite it's face. Think of all the union workers who build, manage and operate professional stadiums. also what about all the lost revenue -- lost wages, tax revenues (sales tax, income tax, gross receipt taxes, occupancy taxes etc,) on game day he is proposing to abandon. This legislation is anti-union, anti-business, anti-government, anti- football, anti everything. Once again Sweeney is proving to be an embarrassment not only to himself but to the residents of West Deptford.
Ernest Kraus
8:23 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Senator Sweeny should realize that children play games. Professional sports is big business. There are winners aand losers everyday in every aspect of life. We in New Jersey are losers in that Steve Sweeny is the president of the state senate. It is time for a change.
GEORGE ROBERTS
11:05 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Your more worried about the referees, then the police officers in Camden. Definitely have to get your prioritys straight.
walter einhorn
12:19 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Is there more important things to do than this. He seems to be in consistent with his useless leader the big "O" who golfs and does interviews rather than pay attention to governing.
Perhaps we should be glad he is not paying attention to governing.
Just doing what's right
12:27 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I agree with Carrie and Walt. This man is a Senator not an NFL mediator. Do what you are getting paid to do.....be the Governor, let the NFL take care of their business.
tony ferrelli
7:10 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Sweeney seen you at heritages this morning,you didn't look to happy.I said Good morning Steve what did you think of that game Monday night. you stormed out of heritages like there was no tomorrow.doing a wheelie down jessup road,must have been heading to riverwinds to work off the frustration.
Gloria Saul
7:34 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
He was probably still angry with himself for opening his piehole and letting his stupidity run amok! Rude and an ass! A lethal combo, that!
Samantha McCall
10:37 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Carrie and Gloria, well said. This person has got to go. He was elected (why, I don't know) to represent the taxpayer, (oh, and what a fine job he does of that, it's more for George Norcross), not the NFL. They can handle their own problems, they don't need your unwanted help.
Thump Thumbler
12:43 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
http://www.wdrealtruth.org/report-card-west-deptford-republicans-are-failing/
Ernest Kraus
3:10 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
The president of the state senate is failing. Where was he when the New Orlean Saints were paid a bounty to injure opposing players? Where was he when Sunoco closed?
Where is your real name?
Butch Burgundy
4:30 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Where is your wife Ernie?
Ernest Kraus
5:30 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Inappropriate comment.
Why not answer the questions or hasn't Senator Sweeney given you the answers?
Is that really your name or are you another anonymous clown?