Instant Replay: Friend or Foe?

Instant replay has affected professional sports since its introduction in into the NFL in 1999. But is the newest technology in the old sport of football a blessing or a curse? Some may argue the digital technology used in the NFL and NHL to assist officials causes them to be lazy.

Try to recall this situation: Broncos and Patriots, 2005 play-offs. That hits close to home for a lot of us and conveniently, we appreciated the call…Patriots on their own five-yard line, third and goal. QB Tom Brady throws an interception to Champ Bailey, who returned the ball 100 yards to the Denver 1-yard line. Patriots’ tight end Ben Watson had appeared to knock the ball loose through the end zone, which would have resulted in a touchback and giving the ball back to Brady at the 20-yard line. The officials called Bailey down at the 1 yard line. But, the play was challenged.

Conveniently the entire system of instant replay was unable to assist their call and thus the officials were forced to stick with the call on the field. As an official, you can’t expect to make every call the right call. You are human. Wait, that’s why they initiated instant replay… because they don’t trust judgment calls anymore. Is it necessary to have a camera make the final call in hockey and football? Or can we just stick with the traditional players and traditional officials? Why not have instant replay for every sport?

Officials and their controversial calls add to the excitement of sports. Does Joe Torre get a chance to throw out a flag when blue calls Jeter out a second when he clearly slid under the tag? George Karl doesn’t have a chance to argue over a foul called on Marcus Camby. The game is played on the field and called on the field. A player can’t change what he did, but thanks to instant replay, an official can.

The addition of the replay system created new rules and new requirements for the games of football and hockey. It changed the sports. If it was allowed in baseball or basketball, it would interfere with the game and ruin it.

If it weren’t for instant replay, fans would still have excuses to shout at the refs “what are you blind?” or “are we watching the same game?” Is that what kind of game you want to go to?