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We’re Sure Hakeem Nicks Bumping Into A Replacement Ref Is Symbolic In Some Way Or Another

Well, one real, NFL game with replacement refs down. Were there complaints with their performance? Sure. “I haven’t been held this much since I was a baby,” Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka said. Kiwanuka tried to be sympathetic to them, noting the replacements have “been put in a tough situation,” but concluded that “you notice when the real refs aren’t out there.” And the linked column from Steve Politi of the Star-Ledger (N.J.) made sure to note that the refs were far from perfect.

But they also weren’t a disaster. That was the fear: that they’d look completely clueless out there and generally make a mockery of America’s favorit sport on a big stage. And held to that (low, admittedly) standard, they didn’t look so bad. That seems to be the dominant theme in discussion of the refs’ performance – hey, things seemed pretty normal.

In fact, the most blooper-y moment featuring a replacement ref wasn’t even the ref’s fault. As official Jim Core prepared to make a call during the fourth quarter, he was bumped into by a backing-up Hakeem Nicks:

Honestly, this might have been the best the refs handled anything all game. Core was understandably thrown off for a second, but finished making his call, and even punctuated it with an “Ow.” Laugh a little at yourself, and it makes it tougher for everyone else to laugh at you. And if there’s any group of people who are going to need to steel themselves for getting laughed at, it’s the NFL’s replacement refs. So far, so decent, though.

[Outside the Box Score]

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