Editor’s note: With the NHL in the midst of a lockout, my new favorite sport is following Los Alamitos High School Alum and Minnesota Vikings Kicker Chris Kluwe make headlines with his colorful thoughts and opinions. Today, he shared his thoughts on the officiating in Monday's Seahawks v. Packers game.
As it turns out, NFL replacement refs are unlikely to win popularity contests.
As America bemoans the state of its national pastime thanks to the officiating in Monday night’s Packers v. Seahawks game, Los Alamitos High School alum Minnesota Vikings Kicker Chris Kluwe joined a roundtable on Slate to offer his take on the controversial call that affected the outcome of the came. In an essay titled, “I'm a Minnesota Viking, and I think the Packers got screwed,” Kluwe let it be known that he is a Minnesota Viking, and he thinks the Packers got screwed.
He writes on Slate:
Let's be clear: We're past the preseason now. These games really matter, and the Packers just lost one that counts for real, one that by all rights they should have won. As a divisional rival, it pains me to say this, but the Packers got royally horsebuggered on that last play, and this could have serious implications down the road when it comes to playoff seeds and homefield advantage
Kluwe concludes with a direct appeal to NFL Commissioner Goodell:
As a player, as someone whose paycheck relies on the fans' interest and their consumption of this game, I'm asking you to do what's best for the NFL and get the regular refs back on the field. It may sting your pride, and that of the owners who employ you, but at the end of the day this is a business, and a very successful one at that. I'm asking you: Please don't risk alienating your customers over something that should never have been an issue in the first place. Bring the regular refs back before it gets even worse.
Click here to read Kluwe’s full Slate Essay.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN THE COMMENTS
What did you think of the call, and how should the NFL move forward?
