Every sporting event that gets played has had a problem with the officiating. From the pros to college to even middle school rec basketball, referees miss a lot of calls. A lot of calls and every time one side always comes out feeling cheated because of the incompetence of refs. They miss blatant calls, but they make up for it by making up new rules. It is one of the frustrating things in the sports world.

This all started back in 2012 on September 24th in Centurylink Field. A play known as The Fail Mary. The Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers were playing a primetime game. With eight seconds left, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws the ball up in the air as time expires, and  Green Bay Packer cornerback M.D. Jennings jumps and intercepts the ball, until Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate takes it out of the opposing player’s hands while they are on the ground. The game should have been over with the Packers winning.

However, two refs are both watching the play. One calls it a touchdown, while the other calls it incomplete. The fact that two refs called two different calls even though they were standing two feet away from each other is mind boggling.

They end up calling the play a touchdown, and the Seahawks with the game, but the Packers win the debate on what really should’ve happened.

Would this have happened if a computer system was involved? Most likely not.

Having computer systems help out refs during a game will improve all the games and won’t cause teams to lose games they should’ve won.

Other examples include, week one of the 2016 NFL season between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Green Bay Packers. There were 16 missed calls in one game. These no calls altered the outcome of the game. If one got called, the outcome could’ve changed, and both teams seasons could be drastically different.

Also, in week six between the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks. The game was close, really close. Atlanta’s quarterback Matt Ryan threw the ball up to star receiver Julio Jones with 15 seconds left. However, Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman made one of the most blatant pass interference calls that, if called, would put Atlanta in field goal range. However, the call was not made, causing the Falcons to lose a game they deserved to win.

If that wasn’t enough, in week nine between the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo kicker Dan Carpenter lined up for a 53 yard field goal before the end of the half. The kick got blocked by Sherman; however, he ran into the kicker, which is a penalty and the field goal should have gotten re-kicked. But, of course, there was no call, and this changed the momentum of the game causing Seattle to get the win.

These are some of the more objectionable examples, but there are others that have occurred throughout the season.

These are all missed calls in one sport. There are countless others in all the other sports. For example, the strike zone in baseball, a foul or flop in basketball, missed penalties in hockey, the list goes on. I’m not saying get rid of refs, instead I’m saying is to have their calls get backed up by a computer system and have another set of “eyes” watching the game to pick up on calls they miss.

ESPN analyst Mike Greenberg, co-host of Mike and Mike, has also expressed his opinion on the matter.  

“I love transparency, but I don’t know how I feel about someone from the league office telling us a flag should have been thrown when there’s an apparatus in place for telling the only person that matters that a flag should have been thrown,” said Greenberg on his show.

Obviously it will be harder to implement computer systems and devices into sports like basketball, football, and hockey because the game is extremely fast paced. But, the NFL was able to add sensors to calculate their miles per hour, so why can’t they add pressure sensors on their jerseys, pads, or accessories to see if penalties occur. If the pressure sensor goes off, then there was probably a penalty. There needs to be a certain point because teams can’t afford for their defense to not play physical or tackle. This allows the computer system to pick up on pressure before the ball gets to the receiver, or if there is a holding call.

In basketball, they can do the same thing, add pressure sensors because the game is so physical and fast paced. Because the amount of fouls that are called that aren’t fouls are ridiculous. This can completely eliminate flopping in basketball, which is the cause of most of the fouls.

Same with hockey: If they add pressure systems, the computer can tell if there was a penalty or not based on the amount of pressure.

Also, the computer can follow the play and help out in areas officials can’t see because all the officials are watching the ball/puck. This can stop players from getting away with cheap shots.

In baseball, the computer system can call balls and strikes because umps in baseball are inconsistent. A pitcher can throw the same pitch in the same spot, but one can get called a ball and the other can get called a strike. This is one of the most frustrating parts of baseball. Also, the system can review the calls near the foul line. To see if the ball was hit in bounds or out.

People will say that it is too expensive or it will slow down the pace of the game, and it might, but would you rather have a slow correct game where the outcome is legit, or would you like a fast paced game that is flawed and can screw over teams? The NFL, MLB, NBA, and other sport organizations have enough money to add these changes.

Adding a computer system to watch over games can be a life saver for all teams in professional sports. No team will feel cheated because they know they have things in place to make sure something doesn’t happen.

All around to make sure the games get called fairly, they need to make changes. It doesn’t have to be a computer system; it can be anything because this has become a real epidemic in all sports