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This past weekend, an insane incident took place in the Dallas vs. San Antonio NBA match-up. Referee Joey Crawford ejected mild-mannered superstar, Tim Duncan. What made the spat between these two grown men noteworthy is the way it took place.

Crawford called a technical foul on Tim Duncan. Duncan wasn't too happy about it, but took his medicine and sat on the bench. Crawford, still steaming about the argument between he and Duncan, sees him laughing on the bench, and ejects the future hall of famer from the game. The argument continued, with Crawford saying "You wanna fight?" to Duncan. This actions by the veteran referee led to an indefinite suspension by the NBA, and may signal the end of his career.

A lot of people will write and say the following; "He needed to be taught a lesson." "These refs need to learn that no one pays a ticket to see them referee." about Crawford. What they're basically saying is that refs need to learn their place as b&%ches to players, coaches, and fans. What these people fail to take into consideration is the fact that these referees, like them, are human. Human have flaws. Humans, no matter how objective they try to be, are prone to prejudice.

Consider the fact that referees, for whatever reason, go to a job knowing that 99% of the people there are looking to blame you for their team losing. Every call these people make are met with boos and profanity-laced screaming from athletes and their coaches. I don't care how professional you are, or how much money you get to do it, after a while, that crap gets to a guy. I'm surprised that more of these incidents don't occur. I know that i couldn't be a referee, I would have had my butt handed to me by a world class athlete like Duncan many times over.

I'm not defending Crawford's actions. They are in no way defensible. Plus, refs know what they're getting into by joining the profession. However, just consider the crap they take from people, day in and day out, for years. No way in hell could I be a referee.

Learn more about this author, Derrick Goard.
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