by CHRIS DANIELS / KING 5 News
Bio | Email| Follow: @ChrisDaniels5
KING5.com
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 10:52 PM

Updated Friday, Oct 22 at 12:43 PM

"BOTHELL, Wash. – Dozens of local football referees used pink whistles at football games Thursday night. Now, their governing body may throw the flag at them.

The referees, who are part of the Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association, are using the whistles to raise awareness for breast cancer research. The referees are also donating their game checks to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

However, the chair of the Washington Officials Association Chair Todd Stordahl says the refs didn't ask for permission.

"They chose not to ask for permission, not to go the right route," said Stordahl. He says the move sets a precedent. Last year, a softball umpire wore a Hawaiian shirt. Stardahl says there are state official rules for what is an appropriate uniform and this particular association disregarded the rules.

“It sends the wrong message to kids that are playing the game. 'If they broke the rules why can’t I do the same,'” said Stardahl.

The decision by the officials may cost them down the road. Stardahl says the WOA may keep the pink whistle blowers from officiating two playoff games as a result. That means the referees will lose game checks."

http://www.king5.com/sports/high-school/High-school-refs-may-be-penalized-for-pink-whistles-105505478.html

That's the biggest pile of crap I've heard in a long time the officials just trying to help the cause and if they get the short end of the stick there should be something done about it....

I hope they don't throw a pink flag at them or they could get banned, too.

You know what they have contracts to wear certain atire and as part of their agreements they need to ask permission. If they had, gone through the right channels, it wouldn't be an issue......when you make a signed contract agreeing to wear certain colors in athleticism....you must abide by your contractual agreements......I actually agree here....no matter how worthy the cause may be.....

me too , dress codes are dress codes,,,

It's a WHISTLE!!!

Comments on the report:

"I'm scratching my head on this one. Having officiated high school football for 18 years in the state of Washington, finishing in 2000, I am hard-pressed to find a rule dealing with whistle color. I recall whistles being black, silver, or white if covered with a whistle guard. They didn't have to match perfectly. Perhaps it's in there somewhere, but this sure seems a silly issue for the WOA to test their mettle. Technically, I suspect Mr Stardahl might win the battle but lose the war. Go ahead and send a letter out to the local associations reminding them to check with your office first, but don't deprive them of their chance to work playoff games. After all, they did ths for an extremely good cause. God knows high school sports officials have a tough enough time trying to convince fans, players, and coaches that they are human. Now when they get that chance, you cut them off at the knees. Surely, the WOA has more important issues with which to deal."

"I live in Honolulu, Hawaii. and my nephew plays high school football. His mom passed away with breast cancer and she went very fast within 6 months. She also had passed right on her son birthday. Also, during a football game, the refs had used a blue towel for a penalty flag instead of yellow. this blue towel was to support another football coach who had passed away couple of months ago and this coach was not from Hawaii and the spectators were wondering why. Now, you're making a big fuss over a pink whistle? At least they showing their support for Breast Cancer awareness month. It frustrates to see people like you to go against it!!! If you are married and have a family,especially if you have daughters, won't you be supported of it?"

But the point of an offciating referee normally wear's nothing that detracts or distracts from the players on the field.......they probably have something in their contracts concerning attraction of attention from the game and are really only supposed to be noticed while calling plays and throwing flags......but whenever having a dress code and you wish to do something that definitely attractions attention even for for the best causes you violate your word in writing......

It's a WHISTLE!!!

They players had to ask to wear the shoes.........why doesn't one faction if the other faction has to?

Rules is rules.
Most everywhere there's a chain of command to be followed.

Then again, I don't agree with everyone's a winner just for showing up.

rules are rules... you don't think they should follow the rules?

"RULES IS RULES"

War Crimes? SURE
Pink Whistles? NO!

only the rules that suit you huh... typical liberal statement

Illegal Immigrant deportation-YES
Asking permission to use non-regulation whistles-YES

Pink whiltes today without permission and then what pink and black referee shirts tomorrow?

I got a load of pink whities today in my laundry.

I woke up thinking of this one.

A cup of coffee and a doughnut, $2.50.

Fifteen minutes with a well worn hooker, $20.00.

Regulation whistles, priceless.