Ravens' Rolle discusses officiating
Cornerback Samari Rolle can be heard here discussing the officiating during last night's loss to the Patriots. Let's make this clear. Rolle blames no one but the Ravens for the Ravens' loss. What you will hear is what you frequently hear from athletes, that they want consistency in officiating. He also talks about head linesman Phil McKinnely addressing him as "boy" late in the game and connects that verbal exchange with linebacker Bart Scott's emotional eruption.
Meanwhile, the NFL says it is investigating.
Comments
Seemed like a pretty level-headed interview from his perspective, especially given the sometimes racially charged undertones of the term. I think he represented the Ravens well with that interview.
Posted by: Jay Maduro | December 4, 2007 4:58 PM
I don't think it's level headed at all. It sounded like part of the whining that's getting worse by the minute in the NFL. "A defensive back doesn't have a chance..." etc. Wow.
As for the problem with the referee, well, here's Samari's comment: "If you want to call me a boy you put on a helmet and shoulder pads and come out on the field and I'll show you a boy."
Not once, in any interview of any player, did any of them say "Hey, maybe the ref was reacting to the whining and trash talking we do on every play." If I'd heard that, I'd be more inclined to feel sympathetic to the players.
Finally, all you need to know about the modern athlete is summed up by Rolle's response to the question "What do you intend to do about that Samari?"..... Rolle said "Well, I called my agent last night after the game...."
I thought the way to resolve it was to get McKinnley into a helmet and pads and go at it?
Posted by: Ken | December 5, 2007 1:18 PM