Referee Ted Valentine Considering Retiring After Turning Back on Joel Berry II

College basketball official Ted Valentine is mulling retirement after he created controversy by turning his back on Joel Berry II while the North Carolina guard protested a call during Wednesday's loss to Florida State.

"I'm thinking about retiring," Valentine told Seth Davis of The Athletic on Saturday. "I've had enough of people blowing up stuff. I think I've had a stellar career, and I think it's time to get ready to walk away."

Davis noted Valentine was frustrated with the criticism he received after the incident and revealed the Big Ten removed him from Friday's game between Wisconsin and Rutgers and Sunday's contest between Michigan State and Ohio State as a result.

Valentine turned his back on Berry as the senior was arguing he was held by Florida State's Terance Mann as a pass went over his head and out of bounds.

Davis called Valentine "one of college basketball's most recognized and vilified officials," pointing to his "exuberance on the court and penchant for confrontation" as the reason so many fans know him and call him by the nickname "TV Teddy."

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas was particularly critical of Valentine in the aftermath of the incident with Berry:

According to ESPN.com, Valentine had to be restrained during a 2014 argument with Cincinnati Bearcats coach Mick Cronin in one of the official's most high-profile confrontations.

However, the ESPN story also highlighted the fact Valentine has worked 28 NCAA tournaments, 10 Final Fours and four national championship games, underscoring the level of respect he has garnered throughout his career as a veteran official.