The Issue: The return of official referees to National Football League games after a four-month lockout.
***
The job performance of incompetent amateurs forced the National Football League to bring back experienced professionals (“NFL, Refs Get Over Goal Line,” Sept. 27).
A metaphor for Election Day if I ever saw one.Joseph Black
Staten Island
As a union member and longtime NFL season-ticket holder, I must remind people that labor unions were created to protect the workers from poor pay, unsafe working conditions and unreasonable work hours.
The average NFL official was making nearly $149,000 per year. They had a lot of nerve asking for more. Gary Posch
Whitestone
The hysteria among the press about the last call in the Seahawk-Packer game is more an indication of the liberal pro-union attitude of the press than anything else.
The two officials were perfectly positioned but saw the play differently. You would think the regular officials never made a mistake.
According to The Wall Street Journal, only 31 percent of contested calls have been overturned so far, compared to 52 percent last season.Peter Hess
Albany
Football is just one example of how the job creators’ pursuit of selfish interest isn’t necessarily better than a well-paid worker with collective-bargaining rights.
Walter Kitchenmann
Sarasota, Fla.
After seeing the NFL’s statement backing the scab referees’ call that stole a win from the Green Bay Packers, I had a thought: There’s a place in the Obama administration for these guys. They never admit a mistake or take responsibility.
Unfortunately for the NFL, the sports media still have integrity. Even the NFL Network was killing them over this.
Maybe the NFL should replace Commissioner Roger Goodell with President Obama. They could call this just “a bump in the road.”
Pete Vetro
Beachwood, NJ
The substitute-referee controversy points to more than just a blown call. The NFL, like too many firms in recent years, has become more arrogant with its success.
Hard work and loyalty from longtime employees become dispensable.
Now when something goes wrong or profits go down, they wonder why. What goes around truly comes around.
Alice Hahn
East Orange, NJ
Billie Joe Armstrong had an on-stage meltdown after his band did play. He’s the lead singer of the rock group Green Day.
But seeing how the Packers were robbed by replacement officials who weren’t up to the job, the worst week clearly belonged to Green Bay.
Vin Morabito
Scranton, Pa.