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Sidelines and Bloodlines. Ryan McGee.

 

Sidelines and Bloodlines.    Ryan McGee

A Father, His Sons and our life in college football.

 You might know of Ryan McGee’s work on ESPN and lately the SEC Network.    He does many commercials with his Marty & McGee co-host promoting his show frequently on the network as well.   However, many may not know that his father was a college referee for nearly four decades.     This story featuring myriad contributions from his father Dr. Jerry McGee and his brother Sam McGee.    In Sidelines and Bloodlines, the authors compile their many interesting, humorous and insightful experiences connecting their fathers time officiating decades of games as well as the McGee sons’ memories of following their father’s success and their own college football experiences.  

The book begins by highlighting Jerry McGee’s nascent journey into football officiating in the early 1970’s.    This coming not long after being newlywed and just about concurrently fathering two sons shortly thereafter.   What makes this book most interesting is how it is written from the perspective of a college football official.    The McGee’s were not necessarily fans of any particular school or program growing up, or at least not inferenced in the book, but students of the game especially from the perspective of how it was officiated.   

In fact, the book offers a unique perspective from all three contributors to the book.   The author does most of the story telling but every chapter contains insight in sidebars from his father and brother. 

The author and his fellow contributors try to give the reader perspective on how games are officiated.    For example, Ryan McGee defines the role for all eight officials used in a “big time” college football game.  Other instances included experiences with the coaches before, after and during the game on the side-lines.   One gripping story took place on a Thursday Night Big East game in October of 1996.   Dr. McGee and the head coach of the visiting team had a heated discussion that was actually captured on video/audio by ESPN before a commercial break may have interrupted the scene.      

Indirectly, the co-authors made attempts to influence how the fan goes about judging and thinking of football officials.   Just by the sheer acuteness of one play to the next could make judgement very difficult---even with replay available.    In fact, Dr. McGee had a long-standing lament in judgement over the result of a play in the 1980’s.     The co-authors discussed the play and their frequent attempts to assuage the father’s guilt of insecurity over a decision made long ago in the past.  Referees have a conscience, too.  

The McGee’s insist that there is no conspiracy, favoritism or personal influence when making the calls.    What should become obvious after reading through this book is the difficulty involved in officiating college football games.   Adding to the challenge is the way the game changed and evolved during Dr. McGee’s career as a side-judge.    When asked about this, McGee cited the change in speed of the players, the size and athleticism of the players and the way the game is played.    Teams throw the ball downfield more frequently (running as many as 90 offensive plays) thus adding to the exacerbating pace and the complexity of the job.  

The experiences of Dr. Jerry McGee, a former small college president, draws parallels to football players and coaches, too.   Although Dr. McGee served in this business for nearly two scores, he had thought about getting out of the game a few times along the way.    However, he had trouble committing to a retirement from officiating.   One of the reasons directly related to the camaraderie experienced among his officiating peers, not unlike the reluctance of players or coaches hanging it up at the end of their careers.    Nonetheless, Dr. McGee did eventually exit the profession by reaching a pinnacle in his refereeing career by working the 2009 National Championship game in Miami, Florida.  (University of Florida soundly defeated the Oklahoma Sooners.)  

Of course, not all officials last this long in the profession.   Not all fans can be objective when watching their favorite teams, especially after a loss.    Some fans will never respect the job of a football official regardless of how well a book is written and the sagacity of the content included between the covers.     That would be shame because the McGee’s tell a unique story that offers perspective, insight, adventure, intrigue and inspiration that fit nicely in the two hundred and sixty some pages.    

  • ·         You might like to read this book if you are a fan of Ryan McGee’s work.
  • ·         You might like to read this book if you are interested in learning mor about the role of college football officials.
  • ·         You might like to read this book if you seek out college football books.

·         You might like to read this book if relish reading about families and their connections to sport.    

 

Read more about the author on twitter:   https://twitter.com/ESPNMcGee

 

 

 

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