|
07-18-2006, 01:05 PM | |
Draft a QB
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: JoCo
Casino cash: $9961689
|
One-eyed referee sues Big Ten over firing
What say you? If you are disabled but can still do the job should you still be fired?
One-eyed referee sues Big Ten over firing July 18, 2006 BY NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter Can a football referee call a game with just one eye? Despite what some fans might say, James Filson, a Big Ten conference football referee, says he did it for years successfully and has the ability -- and the right -- to keep officiating games. He makes the claims in a federal lawsuit he filed Monday after he says he was fired despite calling games for five years with just one eye. When he was fired, Filson, of Bolingbrook, said he was told that if he "missed a judgement call, which all officials do from time to time, and the public or coaches knew he only had one eye he would have 'hell to pay,' " according to the lawsuit. Chosen for Orange Bowl A Big Ten football referee since 1992, Filson's life forever changed in 2000 after he missed a step, apparently fell and hit the corner of a desk, according to his lawsuit. After learning he permanently lost all sight in that eye, he had it removed and a prosthetic put in. He said he was very open to his bosses about his issues and they wished him a speedy recovery. After some work and surgeries, he returned to officiating and did it for five more years. He was even chosen to referee the Orange Bowl -- "an honor only bestowed upon the highest rated officials in the conference," his lawyers wrote. Filson says he loves the sport and is dedicated to his job, so after his surgeries he sought medical opinions, which told him he could return to his work. Before doing so, he said he spent the spring and summer of 2000 testing himself at semi-professional football and high school basketball games. Michigan coach reportedly told But he said his dream ended in the spring of 2005 when a reporter told University of Michigan's head football coach about Filson's one eye. Filson accuses the coach of calling Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney who allegedly urged Filson's firing. Filson said he met with Delaney who told him he was fired because he did not "have two eyes" and lacked "full field of vision." Another supervisor allegedly told Filson the problem emerged "because the coaches know." Filson says his firing is a violation of the federal disability act and is seeking back pay, reinstatement, and compensatory and punitive damages among other fees. A Big Ten spokesman could not be reached for comment. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/200...a-points/4024/ |
Posts: 5,753
|
07-18-2006, 01:08 PM | #2 |
Eat/Sleep/Procrastinate/Repeat
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dystopia
Casino cash: $10017397
|
If I were a coach, I'd want league refs to have normal optical function, too.
|
Posts: 33,369
|
07-18-2006, 01:12 PM | #3 | |
Draft a QB
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: JoCo
Casino cash: $9961689
|
Quote:
__________________
When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County. |
|
Posts: 5,753
|
07-18-2006, 01:13 PM | #4 |
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Join Date: Aug 2000
Casino cash: $1633385
|
Just think, if somebody pokes out his other eye, he'll be able to referee the Super Bowl.
|
Posts: 119,869
|
07-18-2006, 01:19 PM | #5 | |
Like I woke up in Wonderland..
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: KCMO
Casino cash: $2776558
|
If he worked for 5 years after losing an eye, he seems capable of doing the job.
But if he made a wrong call against my team, I'd want to hunt him down and shove his testicles into his empty eye socket
__________________
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 18,686
|
07-18-2006, 01:19 PM | #6 | |
Beyond the Rapids
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Langley, VA
Casino cash: $-370000
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 80,659
|
07-18-2006, 01:20 PM | #7 | |
Archivist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: The Ethernet
Casino cash: $9892732
|
Quote:
Nice job, fraz.
__________________
Anything you post on this BB can and will be used against you... |
|
Posts: 26,193
|
07-18-2006, 01:25 PM | #8 | |
Like I woke up in Wonderland..
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: KCMO
Casino cash: $2776558
|
"And as if blinding his "bitch" wasn't enough retribution for Kelly, the next day he and four other inmates took turns pissing into the "bitch's" ocular cavity."
__________________
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 18,686
|
07-18-2006, 01:31 PM | #9 | |
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Join Date: Aug 2000
Casino cash: $1633385
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 119,869
|
07-18-2006, 01:34 PM | #10 |
Playing for #1 Draft Pick
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Just West of Lambs land
Casino cash: $10004900
|
Take the money (they will offer it) and run.
__________________
sig test for this screwy schema |
Posts: 25,901
|
07-18-2006, 01:55 PM | #11 |
retired mean ole man
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Scott City, Ks.
Casino cash: $10004900
|
Fred Arbanas the tight end for the chiefs during the early years played for serveral years with only one eye, didn't seem tobother him to much
__________________
I'm old, I'm tired, and I may blow up at anytime so don't mess with me, other than that I'm a pussycat |
Posts: 600
|
07-18-2006, 02:05 PM | #12 |
Rock Chalk Jayhawk
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: PA
Casino cash: $1653317
|
His condition was known when he was hired by the Big 10. Why was he hired to begin with if that's the belief of the Big 10? Seems to me he has a pretty good case considering that he's rated well versus refs with 2 functioning eyes. Usually I hate how overlitigious people can be, but this seems about right to me.
__________________
"True bliss is not something you search for, true bliss is already living inside us all, and sometimes it takes a roomfull of others to lead us to the mirror of your soul." - CosmicPal (10-3-03) |
Posts: 8,850
|
07-18-2006, 03:33 PM | #13 |
v^V^v^V^v^V^
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Holland*
Casino cash: $10005177
|
Sounds like one more eye than the typical Big Televen* ref, to me.
* Or C-USA, or SEC
__________________
|
Posts: 39,518
|
07-18-2006, 03:35 PM | #14 |
Seeking Enlightenment...
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Springfield
Casino cash: $10004900
|
If Flowers could play corner in the NFL with one eye, this guy can ref college with one. Just put him as something that doesn't require a huge field of vision.
Moooo |
Posts: 3,405
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|