The De-Evolution of NFL Referees

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NFL referees have been a source of anger for thousands of NFL fans since the league's earliest days, but in recent years it's felt like NFL officials are incapable of getting out of the way and just letting football games play out without awful interference. Today I try to find out what's causing this new epidemic of incompetence and attempt to find a solution. With science.
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[@plasticwalnut7650]

I remember that after the 2018 NFC finals, a Louisiana doctor had offered free eye exams to referees. Probably the best thing to come from that controversy

[@bill2953]

If the gross no-call PI in the Rams /Saints NFC title game didn't tell you the league wanted the Pats and Rams in the superbowl then it may be time to have the old ears checked.

[@aikhis]

Nothing strange about all those refs from that game got promotions... Vinovich is the top on field ref now.

[@connorakers668]

Saints already thinking of Drafting a ref in the 2021 draft

[@clownfrownytgaming2974]

Connor Akers yes

[@d.w.w.sweetz3008]

They already did in 2009

[@ChaosGetter1989]

@@d.w.w.sweetz3008 yeah but they let him walk. I heard he had a 1-year deal with the Packers in 2019 and just landed with Tampa Bay to reunite with Brady.

[@gehhemrwtbetmum5621]

ChaosGetter1989 who???

[@jacobbrown5800]

The ref position is deep this year they might even get 2

[@nathanlacroix6562]

The referee: blinder than the blind

[@footballtalkwithfreddy8684]

They are human

[@nickolololo]

Freddy FTW I feel like ref haters have never been on a football field, insanely hard to be perfect on the first call

[@nathanlacroix6562]

It was a joke

[@rahultalkssports1404]

Freddy FTW thank you! Finally someone understands.

[@nathanlacroix6562]

I know it can be real hard but sometimes, they are supposed to be professional

[@TyBaller]

It's funny how Refs can't see things that the average fan sees even after watching the replay

[@mikeyserrano9748]

I'm pretty sure it's pride and an act of defiance instead of them just being blind

[@The_General_Zubas]

no, they can see it. they are jsut told not too by the Leuge to so certain teams win.

[@elbowbread4393]

@@The_General_Zubas are you a lions or a saints fan

[@alexrudolph301]

Elbowbread If he is a Saints fan, then I as a Saints fan, disown him. I hate when people claim that the league rigs games, like if they really did then they are terribly inconsistent with who they favor.

[@racerz129]

In the eye of the storm is wayyy different than sitting at home drinking beer & scratching your balls.

[@ab3040]

Just get rid of Riveron and replace him with McAfee on an Xbox controller. Easy fix.

[@WilliamschmidheiniJR]

Amen

[@jacobhouseman7448]

Oh god, the ensuing chaos would threaten the very existence of the nfl

[@bolbyballinger]

Hell, even a coin flip would have done a better job than Riveron.

[@shoshonesasquatch1642]

@cody2167 👻booo your comment

[@dcard228]

@cody2167 "the best" lmao the XFL had better refs and they only lasted half a season. The NCAA has better reffing every season as well. The fact that they refused to overturn blown PI calls proves their ego is more important than the game to them

[@chrisedwards5447]

*Seahawks vs Packers Monday Night* Referee 1: That's a interception Referee 2: Yeah, you right that's a touchdown.

[@WhatAreTheyGonnaDoSue]

This game was the NFL lockout which was the referees fault not the instant replay team.

[@chrisedwards5447]

@@WhatAreTheyGonnaDoSue I know. And it ultimately was due to the replay system cause they dumbasses still looked at it in slow motion and still called it a touchdown

[@charliebronson9452]

@@WhatAreTheyGonnaDoSue no that lockout was in 2010. This was the replacement refs and the NFL pulling a fast one on us all

[@charliebronson9452]

@Jonathan Dee The One And Only that's too true dude

[@mcfrickenwatcher195]

thats not the worst officiating mistake though

[@33s60]

The best football channel. Theres a reason you blew up like you did. It's like every video is a documentary with incredible editing and narrating.

[@nickolololo]

yep there it is, the lions fan immediately clicking on a ref video ready to spaz

[@SetTheEdge]

Thank you for the love man!

[@rahultalkssports1404]

@@SetTheEdge yeah I love your channel too man. Keep up the good work.

[@teo2shifty]

😂

[@thenickfoxx]

@@nickolololo There's a reason for that bud. You think that hatred for the officials came out of no where? Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 20 years 😂

[@Jackkearl]

And here we have a wild ref screwing an NFL team

[@footballtalkwithfreddy8684]

Referees are human

[@Jackkearl]

Freddy FTW if you’ve seen their calls you would know they’re not (I’m just joking🙃)

[@mr.sideous2340]

The team seems to be some form of big cat, possibly a lion...

[@Jackkearl]

Mr. Sideous it’s stalks it prey waiting to go in for the kill

[@jonnypballin]

Mr. Sideous the referee’s biggest rivals are the Lions, the Saints, and Dez Bryant

[@Flipora2]

"Thank you to Manscap...." SKIP SKIP SKIP

[@broncosfan303-]

AYE Be glad its not Bang Energy

[@cgrubb1230]

Or raid.....

[@jackcooney1651]

We all do it, just don’t tell anyone🤫

[@toomuchsauce3807]

I mean I’m still skipping either way so

[@christophersalinas2722]

Five points vids manscaped ads feel so much longer than what they really are

[@danemortensen8243]

Last time I was this early Johnny manziel had a future

[@tnel72]

Last time I was this early, the falcons had a blow out SB win and the dawgs was abt to win the Natty

[@benjamin_john_turner]

T Nel Last time I was this early, the Browns were good

[@whyamihere9003]

😳

[@whyamihere9003]

Benjamin Turner 😳

[@kkingdrs6630]

And rg3 was the next Vic

[@Foureyezthegamersucksatgames]

The intelligence of the refs dissapeared quicker than my dad.

[@mattshipley182]

Oof

[@toyotehr]

this meme disappeared quicker than super bowl 51

[@bendboss1206]

Bruh

[@Foureyezthegamersucksatgames]

@hangtime 7190 😂

[@Supperdude9]

So quick it happened far before you were born? :p

[@bruhmoment3459]

That thumbnail 😂

[@lospollos_420]

Ikrrrrr!!

[@ljriedel]

Tbh the refs in madden are worse

[@rahultalkssports1404]

if EA can't make a good football video game how do you expect the referees to be good?

[@justbecause7402]

*There is nothing to challenge*

[@fulcrumthebrave5715]

@@justbecause7402 isn't 2k making an NFL game in like 2021?

[@hrgames6978]

Facemask, some how on ten different players

[@rahultalkssports1404]

FulcrumTheBrave yea they are

[@cjdematatis4566]

They should take an example from the XFL and how they had video review refs for each game and that they broadcasted the ruling discussions for the plays

[@danstrikker6465]

Yes

[@tomservo5347]

Probably because the XFL isn't rigged....

[@luisreyes1963]

XFL? Just a step below Legends Football League. 🙄

[@Supperdude9]

I remember two referee names from the game Mutant League Football on the Sega Genesis. "Deaf Blinders" "I.C. Nothing"

[@classicsports5057]

I think that the more we've gone towards using technology the more we've seen refs get dumber.

[@Trollificusv2]

It's also having a giant f-tarded ginger suit who knows nothing about the game making the rules. That don't help.

[@Falfan42]

The problem is with that, the rules have gotten more vague. Also, the refs don't have as many angles as we do.

[@zack7018]

12:15 TPS renamed to Trash 😂😂😂

[@carmacksanderson3937]

Holy shit, good eye 😂

[@rahultalkssports1404]

@@carmacksanderson3937 lol. NGL they haven't been as good since Mike left.

[@thizlam4810]

They are trash to be honest, I cannot stand that dudes voice.

[@ecoRfan]

Yeah I caught that too

[@nickolololo]

Very well put together video, every team has been screwed multiple times a season, some fans react more dramatically about it, but its still an issue.

[@tomwalsh2260]

What about the patriots

[@mtnduwu]

Tbh, Lions fans have every right to be dramatic

[@chrisscanlon6486]

Tom Walsh As a pats fan, I can promise you we get screwed over too...

[@zacharyclawson6799]

@@chrisscanlon6486 definitely not as much as any other team. Even if your not willing to admit that

[@mitchellima4736]

@@tomwalsh2260 oh trust me doh we get screwed and I can give you examples.

[@IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII2]

Set the Edge: posts *The Return of the King*

[@kingbaldwiniv5409]

I spent a lot of years refereeing at lower levels, and I am often shocked at the unprofessionalism of the NFL official. Being out of position, not actually seeing the ball, allowing play after the whistle, illogical calls, inability to maintain order or consistency, no concept of causality, and sometimes not knowing their own rules, these are some of the worst issues the officials themselves cause. The NFL compounds this with league "rule focus" to try and pay more attention to an area of previous obvious failure, constantly changing rules, part-time employees, and as was mentioned, bad training.

[@JW-dy3tl]

Dude, your videos are awesome the presentation, the voice over, everything. Just wanted you to know you're appreciated

[@flyinjay18]

11:36 is that dude using an Xbox controller 😂

[@elfsjdw]

I like how you brought up that the NFL looks like they decide calls or they “rigged” them, without completely disagreeing with the thought. The NFL is a business. It would make sense that they act in whatever way makes the most money.

[@saldiven2009]

Sometimes, I think the recent (last ten years) of exceptional incompetence by NFL referees is an intentional ploy by the referees union to use as a negotiating tactic for their desire to make referees full time NFL employees rather than seasons employees. NFL officials don't need to be full time. They don't need "more hours." They are paid $200K+ per year. They do not need to have another job. They can do self-improvement training on their own in the off season, just like athletes do their own training in the off season when they're not getting paid for it.

[@11trand]

God is back

[@icicly6305]

Love the editing and music, you always keep me entertained. Keep up the great work!

[@chuck430]

9:13 practicing the "no catch" signal

[@TheJaymky]

Great stuff man

[@jackm9206]

Amazing video as always! They are always entertaining, we'll written, and professional. Keep up the amazing work my man! 💪

[@simonwied6302]

A new Set the Edge video always makes my day!

[@arielsmoke6441]

As always a great video.

[@ryansweeney8888]

Great Video

[@manelponte804]

This is just perfection in a video

[@ateam12]

Video is top notch as always. Love the editing & all the work you put in!

[@thatboysims3k879]

Hahaha great video man, loved it!

[@floridagator1765]

Well said!!

[@yaboi7773]

They’re evolving, just backwards -Pewdiepie

[@stephenweissert1523]

The transparency is so important! I watch rugby all of the time and every single video review is less than 30-40 seconds and the viewer can hear the conversation between the skyjudge and referee

[@ColeAdams]

Damn bro this might be my new favorite video. This was great!

[@flightsstepsis1114]

The cole adams!

[@warmac88]

Great video

[@joshpratt8678]

Awesome video

[@andrefricke9998]

Another great video! Thx from a German Fan of the game and your channel :)

[@asherthefortnitegod]

this channel is amazing!!!!!!!!!

[@ethansagastume5462]

They should just go to squarespace

[@holthogan5562]

Man this is a really well made video. I see way too many videos about officiating that say little more than "Ref bad". Its refreshing to see a well researched video on this topic that realizes there's much more to officiating than just what fans see. Hopefully this helps people realize that officiating problems are not only the fault of the refs themselves.

[@joncampbell644]

Your channel and Madden are the two things keeping me going until (hopefully) September

[@fantasypricecheck1937]

1,800 views in 3 hours. Damn, you're good. Love your channel bro.

[@nicholaswalsh4462]

I don't even like football and this is one of my favorite channels. I think that goes a long way to explaining how good you are at making this topic interesting.

[@lmvx0]

Your channel is underrated

[@aravs48]

View number 4! Never been this early! Also, happy you found a way to make engaging and relevant content even with the off season and the times going against you. Well done.

[@drstupid4366]

Did your water break? Was it a boy or a girl ?

[@aravs48]

@@drstupid4366 Girl=P

[@jogzc1780]

These videos are quality you actually do your research and deliver a quality video

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

Best job in the world to be a ref. You can call games in your favorite team’s favor (your favorite team being the one that paid you), and if you get called out for it, simple! Fine the bastard who spoke the truth!

[@wpry22]

Such a great channel. Anyone know of any others like this but in other sports?

[@ravinandikanti]

Definition of quality over quantity, love your vids!

[@alyssaharger6992]

I have literally watched every single video! Your videos are so good! Keep it up!

[@goombacraft]

12:00 having microphones on referees is how sport outside of america works. apart from soccer, the afl, nrl, rfl etc. all pipe the referees' audio directly into our homes so that we can keep track of the game just as the players do

[@shonhenderson4227]

There he go got my neck thinking ADHD was boutta play😂😂😂

[@oaksin2137]

i was thinking hol’ up lmao

[@RASHEED6]

That one guy right

[@tylerstamper3717]

How do you not have 1M subs? This channel is awesome

[@rexblade504]

The problem with refs and Rivieron is their egos are way to big and refuse to overturn any calls because they don't like admitting they were wrong. We need refs without giant egos

[@alec1115]

I'm a rugby referee, and there are a few things that the NFL (and football in general) could learn its ancestor. 1. The Lawbook for Rugby is quite short (it's barely a half-inch thick) and free to the public. Also, proposed law changes are tried out in specific regions/competitions to see if they improve the game. The NFL has a gameday rulebook that is quite long, not publicly available, and continually has significant changes from year to year, without any testing periods. If the NFL had a lighter book, with gradual rule changes, referees would have fewer decisions to make on-the-field, reducing errors. 2. In international rugby, instant replay is similar to the Sky Judge concept, which is called the "TMO" (Television Match Official). Only the referee can call for a TMO review. Also, TMO is only used in two circumstances: a. Determining if a score is legitimate or not b. If the referee should issue a Yellow or Red Card (Yellow Card = 10 min suspension, Red Card = full game suspension). During the review, the TV audience has a feed between the referee and the TMO. The footage the TMO is reviewing is broadcasted to the jumbotron. This system is fully transparent and doesn't disrupt the game's flow. If the NFL adopted these two principles, I guarantee officiating would be better.

[@sirmoony5633]

"Bottlegate!: Gross Incompetence by NFL Officials!"

[@chrisfloyd7316]

I've never been envious of the zebras. Great vid

[@connorprice5190]

“What is roughing the passer?” *Angry Clay Matthews noises*

[@e-erg-mann3111]

Best comment ever

[@603xxg]

No one expects refs to be perfect on every single play. But they need to be able to correct their calls/penalties on the field when instant replay shows they were clearly wrong. Bottom line - refs need to be held accountable.

[@benroan7097]

Hi good video

[@crosbonit]

The problem is the reluctance to overrule the on-field referees. No one is perfect and these players are moving at high speeds. I don't get why they feel as if the on-field refs have to be backed up no matter what.

[@FeelsLikeDboss]

I think what I took from this most is you putting 2 of 2 ads immediately after a Manscaped ad. How intriguing.

[@drlulu9967]

This was kind of the funniest thing I've ever seen.

[@mateocandelaria9870]

I actively avoid watching football, but this was still a riveting video. Great job!

[@geraldrau8164]

The last thing I need is another commercial

[@ljriedel]

Set the edge, what do you think about the rams new uniforms

[@if9150]

that thumbnail is gold and sums up every ref 😂

[@acb9896]

Last few games they've been great. Shawn Hockuli even flagged a bloodied Sooper Tawmmie. Probably my favorite moment of the last 20 years.

[@kosunin]

Reject Humanity Return To NFL Referee

[@des5052]

I can say this is happening in every sport

[@dab05]

10:33 when u talked about coaches causing teams games u had to show Freddie lol

[@lostnemesis]

There's a reason everyone was applauding the AAF and the XFL for having a sky judge having someone with the ability to see the slow motion footage and quickly assess and be able to overrule the people on the ground is an amazing asset because it keeps games from being fucked up.

[@LilFletch926]

I wanna know how a multi-billion dollar sport cant develope advanced technology. Still have refs but have them doing less. We are asking a lot of them so how about invest in making the game better...

[@Guyinatrenchcoatandhat]

Thumbnail is savage lmao

[@will6391]

Now I just get so pissed that with all this technology, my team still got screwed from going to a superbowl

[@trashatgam3203]

The saints were cheated for 3 Super Bowls 1. Saints v rams no call in the playoff 2 missed an easy tackle in the playoffs 3 saints v vikings no call offense of pass interference (push off)

[@kevplescia4397]

@@trashatgam3203 how about 2017 nfc championship wit jimmy grahams OPI call from a flop

[@SchrodingerMil]

Miss you Ed.

[@jworsleyy2844]

Set the edge and Mikerophone are the most underrated football channels

[@supasanedrizzyss2158]

I like the hol up instrumental in the background

[@donhill1825]

It's 2020 and I've yet to see a single frame of that ball *ACTUALLY* touching the ground in the Dez Bryant play.

[@frank-bmtz]

That's because he caught it.

[@alikhaled844]

The third creature in the thumbnail is steve Smith sr.

[@RadLaxer42]

I was waiting to see a lot of Lions clips

[@lukehann9001]

They are evolving just backwards

[@hunterboyd7827]

11:36 my mans got the Xbox 360 controller

[@nicholaswalsh4462]

Let defense play defense, damn it.

[@jgulyi6466]

Amazing thumbnail

[@Saltiren]

9:10 Yay, Gus Bradley clip! Never forget who built the house Marrone is living in down in JAX

[@henrg]

I hear you with that section 80

[@bustanutt3848]

The thumbnail made me laugh out loud

[@lhart99]

Professional Football is my religion. I have my favorite team that I root for and watch fanatically, and expecting them win a Super Bowl year in and year out. With that said, I still watch every football game regardless of who is playing. I spend a small fortune every single year, rather I'm shelling out over $200 for NFL Sunday Ticket, $100's of dollars for jerseys, or $100's of dollars on trivial things such as coasters. I am in total agreement with your critic of the NFL's officiating. It's a total joke. I vividly remember watching the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and L.A. Lakers . Anyone who's informed about that infamous series knows what I'm talking about. Everyone watching knew the fix was in, and the better team did not emerge triumphantly. This is important, because at the time, I new in my heart and mind that kind of sh*t could never happen, and would never happen, in the NFL. Unfortunately, from what I've witnessed over the last 18 years, I no longer feel that way about the NFL.

[@Ozscar80]

Mr. Scott professional sports is only a distraction it’s fun, gets our competitive juices going, and that’s where it stops. The rest is about getting your money and hopefully your attention from bigger issues.

[@yvngblackairforceman809]

Yes

[@Brice3333]

It is sad and frustrating that every superbowl game there is calls that everyone question.

[@njk3498]

My favorite thing is when a referee makes a shit call that directly affects the outcome of a game and nothing happens to them, yet, when the affected players have something to say about it they are punished for having an opinion

[@Ozscar80]

Mr Kraffert sounds very suspicious 😒 and not trustworthy IJS

[@ckbhighlights1882]

Epic

[@SebastianTheGreat]

Their response: Pass Interference can no longer be challenged outright!

[@gimbobjenkins405]

Excellent video and very well thought out but seriously you could have summed it all up with Al Riveron.