NBA Referees Condemn Violence Against Game Officials

September 8, 2015 – The National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA) is sickened and appalled by the vicious assault made against referee Robert Watts by two John Jay High School football players in its game last Friday night.

“We join the NFL Referees Association in condemning this senseless act of violence,” said NBRA General Counsel Lee Seham. “One of the main duties of referees in any sport is to protect the players. That a game official, any game official, should be attacked is unacceptable.”

The NBRA supports the suspension of the players, and any other appropriate actions following the full investigation of the Texas University Interscholastic League, as well as any criminal investigation.

“We have always rejected the view of sport as mere entertainment; rather, it is a microcosm of society at large and its values. Sports are governed by rules, not by violence. Those who fail to respect the rule of the law, and attack its representatives, must suffer the full consequences,” said Seham.

About the NBRA
Established in 1973, the National Basketball Referees Association represents the 61 active and 16 retired referees of the National Basketball Association. The referees of the NBA seek to advance the quality of sports officiating, athletics and sportsmanship of professional basketball.

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