An aside that has nothing to do with the article: I officiate only two sports, basketball and football. I started working basketball first. My take? I believe that basketball is a tougher sport to officiate than football. (I can hear all the football officials grumbling.)

Early in my football career, while I was still actually in class, my suspicions (that this would be an easier sport to referee) seemed warranted when I heard two comments, repeated again and again though with different words.

• For all you basketball officials out there: Take the whistle out of your mouths. We football officials let the play kill itself. You don't have to have a quick whistle. In fact, we discourage it.
• Don't forget: If you truly screw the pooch, you can always wave off the flag. Pick it up gracefully and live to work another day.

Editor's note: We took a vote around the office, and it was unanimous to allow Dennis a few column inches for his vent.

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