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Ed Hochuli retires (1 Viewer)

Osaurus said:
Are his guns going into the HOF?
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Would be awesome if Canton actually did seriously consider refs (Hochuli and Jim Tunney are the two that I could feasibly see being worth getting in), but even better, if it happens, if they inducted a bronze cast of his biceps instead of his head.

 
Ed Hochuli wasn't the only longtime referee to retire today.  Jeff Triplette also retired after 21 seasons.  But, obviously Hochuli retiring is a bigger deal than Triplette.

 
Stompin' Tom Connors said:
Sad day to see the Man With Two Guns ride off into the sunset. An incredible career, and a great ref.
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Slow down, Tom.  Are you talking about the guy that would take an endless amount of time to figure out a call because he was "getting it right", or because he loved the spotlight?

A bigger ego in stripes we may (hopefully) never see again.

 
Only ref I’ve ever heard say “we got that one wrong, and it probably made a difference in the game.” Ego or not, he earned my respect that day. 

 
Rodrigo Duterte said:
Slow down, Tom.  Are you talking about the guy that would take an endless amount of time to figure out a call because he was "getting it right", or because he loved the spotlight?

A bigger ego in stripes we may (hopefully) never see again.
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Honestly never got that vibe at all from him - either taking too much time (which, FWIW, I think is endemic to the profession these days where every catch, throw, run, etc. seems to be reviewed) or having an ego/loved the spotlight. How does that even manifest itself as a ref?

Hochules did sometimes become longwinded in explanations of calls, but I always found that super helpful as it laid down the specifics in terms of applying the rule to the situation, was greatly transparent, and as a result, made more sense than, say, inexplicably whipping out an index card to decide a call.

 
Stompin' Tom Connors said:
Honestly never got that vibe at all from him - either taking too much time (which, FWIW, I think is endemic to the profession these days where every catch, throw, run, etc. seems to be reviewed) or having an ego/loved the spotlight. How does that even manifest itself as a ref?

Hochules did sometimes become longwinded in explanations of calls, but I always found that super helpful as it laid down the specifics in terms of applying the rule to the situation, was greatly transparent, and as a result, made more sense than, say, inexplicably whipping out an index card to decide a call.
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You are well-written STP, but the comparison to some index-card call only magnifies your cause.....you are pimping an ego-maniac who did nothing more than preside over a sport that put him in the spotlight, which he relished more than anything.  LOL @ throwing in "greatly transparent", on something everybody has just seen, including the million replays.  What a noble man he was.

Did you mention the Hall of Fame?  Please say you were kidding about that.

The best refs go unknown.  It's not about them.

 
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Rodrigo Duterte said:
You are well-written STP, but the comparison to some index-card call only magnifies your cause.....you are pimping an ego-maniac who did nothing more than preside over a sport that put him in the spotlight, which he relished more than anything.  LOL @ throwing in "transparency", on something everybody has just seen, including the million replays.

Did you mention the Hall of Fame?  Please say you were kidding about that.

The best refs go unknown.  It's not about them.
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I was a big Ben Dreith and Jerry Markbreit fan.

Ben did not put up with guys giving each other the business down there.

 
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Rodrigo Duterte said:
You are well-written STP, but the comparison to some index-card call only magnifies your cause.....you are pimping an ego-maniac who did nothing more than preside over a sport that put him in the spotlight, which he relished more than anything.  LOL @ throwing in "greatly transparent", on something everybody has just seen, including the million replays.  What a noble man he was.

Did you mention the Hall of Fame?  Please say you were kidding about that.

The best refs go unknown.  It's not about them.
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Woo-wee mama, that's a lot of very specific and amped-up ire you have for Papa Touchdown (AKA The Striped Gun Show).

He's a ref, for goodness sake, not Pol Pot/Papa or Baby Doc Duvalier. What did he do to you and your family that you have such hate for the guy?

Anyway, totally agree with the bolded part. I was half-kidding about the Hall of Fame -- the focus should really be on the players, IMHO. However, we're already inducting billionaire owners and commissioners (i.e. "Contributors," in the parlance of the Hall) and if a guy like Shorty Ray was inducted for his work specifically around officiating, I don't think it's unreasonable to have a dialogue around why refs who contribute to the overall game should/shouldn't be considered as well. I'm not here to make The Brawn from Tuscon's HoF case, but his work did extend past what he did on the field (NFL Ref's Association and getting refs back on the field during the strike, contributions to competition committee's framing and evolution of rules, etc.).

Ed was one of the longer-winded refs, sure. But I'll take a specific definition of how he is applying the rule that makes it clearer than using random props, or just making a controversial call with zero context. Absolutely makes it more transparent, and not a bad thing. He's also admitted mistakes, unlike a lot of other refs, so again, doesn't strike me as an ego case.

But if you have a particular axe to grind against the guy, be my guest.

 
Stompin' Tom Connors said:
Woo-wee mama, that's a lot of very specific and amped-up ire you have for Papa Touchdown (AKA The Striped Gun Show).

He's a ref, for goodness sake, not Pol Pot/Papa or Baby Doc Duvalier. What did he do to you and your family that you have such hate for the guy?

Anyway, totally agree with the bolded part. I was half-kidding about the Hall of Fame -- the focus should really be on the players, IMHO. However, we're already inducting billionaire owners and commissioners (i.e. "Contributors," in the parlance of the Hall) and if a guy like Shorty Ray was inducted for his work specifically around officiating, I don't think it's unreasonable to have a dialogue around why refs who contribute to the overall game should/shouldn't be considered as well. I'm not here to make The Brawn from Tuscon's HoF case, but his work did extend past what he did on the field (NFL Ref's Association and getting refs back on the field during the strike, contributions to competition committee's framing and evolution of rules, etc.).

Ed was one of the longer-winded refs, sure. But I'll take a specific definition of how he is applying the rule that makes it clearer than using random props, or just making a controversial call with zero context. Absolutely makes it more transparent, and not a bad thing. He's also admitted mistakes, unlike a lot of other refs, so again, doesn't strike me as an ego case.

But if you have a particular axe to grind against the guy, be my guest.
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Dude you were the one that brought up the HOF, not me.

Who's the camera or sideline guy at the top of your list?

 
Rodrigo Duterte said:
Dude you were the one that brought up the HOF, not me.

Who's the camera or sideline guy at the top of your list?
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Not for nothing, but I had brought up the HOF for the opportunity purely to joke about getting his bronzed biceps memorialized. You got that, right?

My camera guy is already in the Hall -- Ed Sabol. Well-deserved non-player enshrinement.

Since we're asking Qs, here's one back for you, my friend -- what instances do you feel Hochuli showed "he loved the spotlight" or displayed what an "ego-maniac" he was or where he "relished more than anything" the chance to be in the "spotlight." Not trying to be argumentative -- honestly want to understand where you are coming from.

 
He was one of the best out there and there was a reason he got a lot of big game assignments....he took a lot of pride in what he did....none of these guys are perfect....and I never thought of him as an ego maniac.....he was actually lucky enough to be one of those guys that had a job/lifestyle that allowed him to pursue one of the coolest, most under appreciated, jobs in sports....he worked hard to get there and to stay there for as long as did....the casual football fan does not know how much work it takes to get to the the top of this profession and to stay there....that's why you see some of the idiotic posts and comments in this thread that have zero backing....yes he kept in good shape so people noticed him, but it also because he was working some of the biggest games on TV every year....

fwiw....Gene Steratore is in a league of his own when it comes to officiating sports.....guy works Super Bowls and some of THE biggest games in Division I basketball....

 
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Stompin' Tom Connors said:
Not for nothing, but I had brought up the HOF for the opportunity purely to joke about getting his bronzed biceps memorialized. You got that, right?

My camera guy is already in the Hall -- Ed Sabol. Well-deserved non-player enshrinement.

Since we're asking Qs, here's one back for you, my friend -- what instances do you feel Hochuli showed "he loved the spotlight" or displayed what an "ego-maniac" he was or where he "relished more than anything" the chance to be in the "spotlight." Not trying to be argumentative -- honestly want to understand where you are coming from.
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Seriously?  Every time he knew the cameras were going to be on him.  He kept strolling up there like he was John Wayne.  

We aren't tuning in for that, are you?  If so, the NBA is that way --->

 
Stinkin Ref said:
He was one of the best out there and there was a reason he got a lot of big game assignments....he took a lot of pride in what he did....none of these guys are perfect....and I never thought of him as an ego maniac.....he was actually lucky enough to be one of those guys that had a job/lifestyle that allowed him to pursue one of the coolest, most under appreciated, jobs in sports....he worked hard to get there and to stay there for as long as did....the casual football fan does not know how much work it takes to get to the the top of this profession and to stay there....that's why you see some of the idiotic posts and comments in this thread that have zero backing....yes he kept in good shape so people noticed him, but it also because he was working some of the biggest games on TV every year....

fwiw....Gene Steratore is in a league of his own when it comes to officiating sports.....guy works Super Bowls and some of THE biggest games in Division I basketball....
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Good thoughts, a few of my own on the bolded parts.

For a guy that was a recognizable face of NFL refereeing, was surprised to see he only worked 2 Super Bowls, the most recent in 2014. Another ref I remember holding in high esteem -- Mike Carey -- only refed one. Seems like the NFL likes variety in the Big Game in the New Millennium, which I don't disagree with.

As often as Hochuli's guns were the focus of attention, was something he apparently hated -- he thought a ref that was in shape would be better respected as it showed the same discipline and focus as the players had, but it forced him to continue to work out those pythons which he wasn't a fan of.

Had NO idea Steratore coaches DIV1 b-ball -- apparently Bill Vinovich does as well. Much props to the expertise that takes.

 
Rodrigo Duterte said:
Wait, what???

You're not trying to turn the conversation into his gait, now are you?

Should we go back to the Hall of Fame talk?

You were the one suggesting it, were you not?
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He was asking you to give examples to justify your negative comments about Ed...

 
Stinkin Ref said:
He was asking you to give examples to justify your negative comments about Ed...
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Huh?  My negative comments about Ed?  Pretty simple/obvious, are they not?

Should we throw a flag in remembrance? 

Give us your reasons for a referee to get into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Try to not be biased, Stinkin Ref, if you can....

 
Yogibear said:
Ed Hochuli wasn't the only longtime referee to retire today.  Jeff Triplette also retired after 21 seasons.  But, obviously Hochuli retiring is a bigger deal than Triplette.
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Triplette is a WAY bigger deal.  He botched so many calls that it was long overdue.

 
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