10 Times Refs Hated Their Jobs

Although I've never been either, being a referee in a sporting event has to feel a heck of a lot like being a police officer, as both are the long arm of the law that's supposed to keep order and enforce the laws of the land.

For that reason, it can be challenging, as fans, players and coaches seem to always be against them, questioning the decision and letting them know how imperfect they are.

While we all have things we like and dislike about our jobs, referees could rant for days about why they hate theirs—and it's all because of things like this.

When a Player Head-Butts Them

Sports are full of emotions, with players doing everything they can in order to win. Sometimes, those emotions get the best of them.

I'd classify head-butting another human being—particularly one who's in charge of keeping things in order—as one of those times.

While a player using their own head as a weapon on a ref doesn't happen all that often, when it does, it's a time when the ref has to think to himself or herself that they might rather be staring at a computer screen all day like the majority of people do—because computer's aren't known to violently attack.

The Times They Find Themselves Getting Run over

Sporting events are moving so fast that, sometimes, refs find themselves becoming a part of the action because they just can't get out of the way.

Thankfully, the ref here wasn't seriously injured when he got trucked by a player, but I'd imagine a few behemoth players falling on top of him isn't something he enjoyed.

Players wear pads and take hits. Refs take hits without protection and are expected to dust themselves off and be fine. What gives?

When Something Happens That Requires a Ref Pulling a Gun on Players

In my entire life, I had never heard of a ref pulling a gun out on a team before, but there's a first time for everything, right?

During a recent match in Brazil, one ref felt it necessary to not only pack some heat, but actually whip it out on a manager after an argument.

If a ref goes to these lengths, there's a good chance that he isn't as fond of his job as most of us would assume he is.

The Field-Goal Header

While there have been a few unfortunate instances where high school players have targeted, got violent with or blew up at refs, this one doesn't seem to be premeditated.

That doesn't mean it didn't suck for the ref.

During a recent high school game, an official was minding his own business and making sure there weren't any penalties when, bam, the football found his head and went through the uprights.

The ref was OK, but it was one of the strangest assists I've ever seen in sports.

When Things Get Thrown at Them

Whether it's beer bottles after a bad call or a freakin' hockey stick from a player who's upset about a call, refs have to keep their head on a swivel to keep themselves as safe as possible during a sporting event.

Having someone heave an object at a ref isn't exactly something that these officials signed up for, but it just comes with the territory of being the man wearing zebra stripes, I guess.

Man, refereeing is risky business.

If/When a Player Hawks a Loogie into a Refs Face

This has happened a few times and, each time it does, I can't help but be grossed out, guys.

As much as I spit while walking around or when I'm running outside, I've never actually done it toward another person—at least, not on purpose, anyway.

The most famous instance came in 1996, when baseball Hall of Famer Robbie Alomar spit a huge wad into the face of umpire John Hirschbeck, which, the umpire has forgiven and forgotten.

Having another man spit in one's face can't be something in the job description for refs/umps, yet it has happened more than any of us would like to think.

The Time Replacement Refs Ran the NFL

Remember that time NFL commissioner Roger Goodell thought it would be an amazing idea to have unqualified people determine the outcome of an NFL game because the real refs were being locked out?

Goodell always talks about protecting the shield, yet he allowed something like this happen.

"This" is the Fail Mary between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers, which was an embarrassing moment for the league after one official called the pass incomplete while another ruled it a touchdown.

It ultimately went as a touchdown for the Seahawks, giving them the win and, unfortunately, is still haunting one of the refs involved in the controversial call.

The Time an Entire Soccer Team Chased Him

This referee certainly wasn't blameless.

After all, while giving a card to a player during a soccer match wasn't his problem, making contact with the guy and sending him to the pitch was ill-advised, which prompted the player's teammates to come to his defense.

The entire team then just sort of hovered around the ref before chasing him around the field in what appears to be the most intense game of tag ever seen.

The Time a Soccer Ball Hit Him Where the Sun Don't Shine

If there's one thing that no guy ever wants to experience, it's a shot right to the family jewels. When it does happen, it's a little more embarrassing as a referee on a soccer field full of kids.

Unfortunately, this guy went down in a heap of pain after a ball just about ripped his soul out of his body when a soccer ball came flying at him, holding up the game to make sure the guy could actually still breathe.

It may have been kicked by a youngster, but, rest assured, that still killed.

When Receiving Death Threats

Sure, the majority of the previous examples of refs hating their jobs are lighthearted, but for some umps and refs, things get way too serious when fans begin to threaten both them and their families.

It has happened on more than a few occasions, with each ref talking about how messed up it is and how scary it is to get a letter from a fan who wants their head because of a call from a sporting event.

From former MLB umpire Jim Joyce to former NFL ref Bill Carollo, officials have had to deal with dumb fans who don't have anything better to do with their lives.