One-eyed referee sues Big Ten over firing

Rooster · 07-18-2006, 01:05 PM

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/

**Reaper16** · 07-18-2006, 01:08 PM

If I were a coach, I'd want league refs to have normal optical function, too.

Rooster · 07-18-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

If I were a coach, I'd want league refs to have normal optical function, too.

I would too. I can see this getting messy in court however.

Frazod · 07-18-2006, 01:13 PM

Just think, if somebody pokes out his other eye, he'll be able to referee the Super Bowl.

sedated · 07-18-2006, 01:19 PM

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

Eleazar · 07-18-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Just think, if somebody pokes out his other eye, he'll be able to referee the Super Bowl.

KCTitus · 07-18-2006, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Just think, if somebody pokes out his other eye, he'll be able to referee the Super Bowl.

dang...I wanted to make a blind ref joke something along the lines of getting a job in the NFL, but I cant beat this one.

Nice job, fraz.

sedated · 07-18-2006, 01:25 PM

"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."

Frazod · 07-18-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCTitus

dang...I wanted to make a blind ref joke something along the lines of getting a job in the NFL, but I cant beat this one.

Nice job, fraz.

Thanks. I should do a stand-up routine in Seattle.

StcChief · 07-18-2006, 01:34 PM

Take the money (they will offer it) and run.

Buster's Dad · 07-18-2006, 01:55 PM

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

DJay23 · 07-18-2006, 02:05 PM

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.

Ultra Peanut · 07-18-2006, 03:33 PM

Sounds like one more eye than the typical Big Televen* ref, to me.

* Or C-USA, or SEC

Moooo · 07-18-2006, 03:35 PM

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

07-18-2006, 01:05 PM
Rooster 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, 01:13 PM	#4
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3125085	Just think, if somebody pokes out his other eye, he'll be able to referee the Super Bowl.
Posts: 119,488

07-18-2006, 01:34 PM	#10
StcChief 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
Buster's Dad 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
DJay23 Rock Chalk Jayhawk Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Williamsport, PA Casino cash: $2963317	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: 8,737

07-18-2006, 03:33 PM	#13
Ultra Peanut 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
Moooo 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