Free Republic

Turns out Mike Holmgren lost respect, as well as the NFL championship at Super Bowl XL by insisting that officiating was a factor in the Seahawks' 21-10 loss to the Steelers. Holmgren's better than that. As a veteran NFL coach, he at least ought to be held to a higher standard. Sadly, Holmgren pointed the finger instead of the thumb.

DETROIT -- Three weeks ago, after the Steelers held on to upset Indianapolis, Joey Porter was unhappy about the overturning of Troy Polamalu's fourth-quarter interception that could have sealed the win much earlier. Believing that deep down the league preferred Peyton Manning and the Colts to win, Porter publicly criticized the game officials, asking them not to "take the game from us." Well, the Steelers can call it even now, as the officials who performed well enough throughout the season to earn the privilege of working Super Bowl XL performed Sunday as though they were trying to make it up...

<p>Referees, umpires and other sports officials from pro leagues to the recreational level increasingly are under siege from coaches, players and a critical populace grown accustomed to a replay culture. A recent string of verbal and even physical attacks from coaches and administrators in the pro and college games is exceeded by less publicized attacks in the high school and recreation leagues — two or three cases of physical abuse each week, according to the National Association of Sports Officials.</p>