Joey Crawford Advocates for Accountability in Refereeing Through Challenge Systems
Ex-ref Crawford: Challenges hold refs accountable
Espn
Image: Espn
Joey Crawford, a former NBA referee, supports the implementation of challenge systems in sports, stating they enhance accountability for officials. He reflects on his career, the pressures of officiating, and the scrutiny referees face, especially when making calls involving star players.
- 01Joey Crawford emphasizes the importance of accountability through challenge systems in sports officiating.
- 02Major League Baseball's new automated ball-strike system allows teams to challenge calls.
- 03Crawford acknowledges the emotional toll of missing crucial calls during games.
- 04He believes that referees often face unfair criticism, particularly regarding calls involving superstar players.
- 05Crawford was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Joey Crawford, a notable figure in NBA officiating, has expressed his support for challenge systems in sports, which he believes promote accountability among referees. With the introduction of Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike (ABS) system, teams can now challenge calls during games, following similar systems already in place in the NBA, NHL, and NFL. Crawford, who officiated from 1977 to 2016, shared that missing crucial calls weighed heavily on him, stating, 'If you screw a play up, you're going back to the hotel, dreading it.' He acknowledged the scrutiny referees face, particularly when it comes to calls involving star players like Michael Jordan, noting that referees often see uniforms rather than individuals. Crawford's insights come after his recent induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, marking his influential career in sports officiating.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you think challenge systems improve the quality of officiating in sports?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.



