NFL players take to Twitter as referee frustration intensifies

Through three weeks of the 2012 NFL season, the single overarching storyline has been unquestioned: the league’s replacement referees. Since blatantly incorrect calls have become a regular occurrence, the new officials have ultimately harmed the purity of competition. Fan and player animosity towards the NFL front office has grown continually since the replacements, but after last Monday night, may soon overflow.

Headlined by Packers offensive lineman TJ Lang, the ‘Twitterverse’ exploded two nights ago in outrage over the inexplicable Seahawks’ 14-12 victory over Green Bay. Immediately after the contest, Lang tweeted “Got f–––ed by the refs… Embarrassing. Thanks nfl,” which was then followed by “F––– it NFL… Fine me and use the money to pay the regular refs.”
The latter tweet is currently the second most re-tweeted message of all-time. Other incredulous NFL players have expressed their thoughts via Twitter.

Dolphins running back Reggie Bush tweeted, “Refs single handedly blew this one…”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees told his followers: “I love this league and love the game of football, but tonight’s debacle hurts me greatly. This is NOT the league we’re supposed to represent.”
Brees further elaborated: “Ironic that our league punishes those based on conduct detrimental. Whose CONDUCT is DETRIMENTAL now?”

Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett also took the incident personally saying: “This is what the NFL has come down to, & yet they tell you to respect the shield! Lol. But they’ll try to fine us for everything we do.”
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez tweeted the end of his patience: “I’ve been saying give the refs a break but that TD call was ridiculous. How do you miss that? Pop Warner refs would have gotten that right.”
Talks between the locked out regular referees and league owners are still ongoing, though significant differences still exist.