Mike Carey Opted Out of DC Games

[singaporesoxfan]

I hesitate to start this one because of how the previous discussion of the Washington area football team's name ended, but I thought this was interesting - Mike Carey, the NFL ref, asked and was allowed to not referee Washington games because of the team name. Don't think I've ever heard of refs asking to avoid refereeing a particular team's games before.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/mike-carey-longtime-nfl-referee-avoided-washingtons-games-because-of-the-name/2014/08/20/d6dae602-27b2-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html

 

[riboflav]

I hesitate to start this one because of how the previous discussion of the Washington area football team's name ended, but I thought this was interesting - Mike Carey, the NFL ref, asked and was allowed to not referee Washington games because of the team name. Don't think I've ever heard of refs asking to avoid refereeing a particular team's games before.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/mike-carey-longtime-nfl-referee-avoided-washingtons-games-because-of-the-name/2014/08/20/d6dae602-27b2-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html

 
So when he reffed Eagles (or dare I say it, Giants games?) games, would he favor them if it meant knocking DC further down the standings?

 

[soxfan121]

 
So when he reffed Eagles (or dare I say it, Giants games?) games, would he favor them if it meant knocking DC further down the standings?

 
That's a leap. He just didn't ref Washington games. 

 

[DJnVa]

 
So when he reffed Eagles (or dare I say it, Giants games?) games, would he favor them if it meant knocking DC further down the standings?

 
So a man making a principled stand would then sully it by going against everything his profession stands for. That would be a bit hypocritical.

 

[mascho]

Good for him.

I just wish he had taken a principled stance on "grasp and control."

 

[LondonSox]

Wouldn't he have to potentially say the name in questionif he was refereeing their game, seems unlikely for any other game, as an example.
 
Good for him and of course the NFL did NOTHING. I'm pretty shocked they agreed to it, it seems a pretty big deal to let it be known that one of their top refs felt this strongly about it.
It certainly makes, a we aren't aware of anyone being offended by the name argument a non starter

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Good for him.

I just wish he had taken a principled stance on "grasp and control."

 
TWICE on the same play! Goddammit.

 

[bakahump]

Good for him.....but wouldnt it have been better if he had said to ya know someone...anyone with a forum (I am thinking a Sportswriter)...."I dont do those games because I feel the team name is racist and I wont be a part of it".
 
Maybe he could have brought this to a brighter light sooner.
 
I guess you have to give him credit....he did more then other Refs.  Imagine if they had all said this. 
 
"Dan....your team cant play....no one will ref your games."
 
Discussion on EEI this morning...
Whats your thoughts on Peter King and Phil Simms?  On one hand they are taking an admirable stance of refusing to use the name.
 
On the other.....they gain those principals NOW without ever before speaking out to someone (unlike Carey)?  How many times has King and Simms said "Redskins" throughout their career? 
 
Just feels disingenuous to me.

 

[tims4wins]

 
When would he have to say their name? Making a call they generally say "Holding...offense" or "off sides...defense" or "block in the back...receiving team". 
 
If there is a call that needs further clarification, they generally use the city "personal foul...New England". 

 
More generally they can also say Washington, New England, Dallas, etc. In fact I don't think I've ever heard them say "first down, Patriots".

 

[Super Nomario]

 
More generally they can also say Washington, New England, Dallas, etc. In fact I don't think I've ever heard them say "first down, Patriots".

Maybe he thinks "Washington" is offensive because of all the pro-slavery legislation GW passed while President.

 

[JohntheBaptist]

Good for him.....but wouldnt it have been better if he had said to ya know someone...anyone with a forum (I am thinking a Sportswriter)...."I dont do those games because I feel the team name is racist and I wont be a part of it".
 
Maybe he could have brought this to a brighter light sooner.

 
Well, this is how you get branded a "distraction" in the NFL. That or he'd be accused of trying to "market" himself or up his profile, which is demonstrably frowned upon by all in the NFL, obviously.

 

[Kliq]

Maybe I'm having too much faith in Goodell, but I think that he may be trying to pass the blame onto Snyder and the organization, in hopes that they will eventually conform into changing the name. If the negative press keeps gaining momentum and more guys start jumping onto the "I'm not saying Redskins" petition, then eventually the pressue will buckle Snyder. By not really doing anything about it, even though it is now 100% clear that Goodell knew people were upset about the name for several years, including one of his top refs, Goodell is basically encourging outside forces beyond the league office to try and make Snyder change the name. In a perfect world, Snyder would change the name and Goodell wouldn't have to lift a finger.

 

[soxfan121]

Mike Carey declining to ref Washington games isn't going to do it. 
 
Phil Simms not saying the name isn't going to do it. 
 
All the fans in the world saying 'I won't buy their merchandise or tickets' isn't going to do it. 
 
FedEx & Bank of America pulling their advertising will do it. Which is why I urge anyone who feels strongly about it to write the corporate offices of these companies saying you won't use THEIR services or products so long as they sponsor Washington's football team. 
 
When the sponsors care is when things happen. This was proved by the Sterling affair. So anything other than public pressure on FedEx and the other sponsors to pull their money is going to do nothing.