How Many Pictures Of A Ref's Butt Can You Take?

I've photographed a lot of football games.  And when I say "a lot" I mean close to 46.

As a football momtographer, never, ever, ever, ever, ever have I ever seen a referee so blatantly in the shot as this guy was yesterday.

I know that the refs have to be on the field.  They're there to do a job, and they know you're trying to do one too.  They're usually nice about the pics you're trying to get.

It's always fun when they say cutesy stuff like "Be sure to get my good side."

Or "Do I have to smile for this?"

Or "These stripes don't make me look fat, do they?"

Or, "Pardon my butt."

So clever.

But, this guy? Right in the middle of the damn shot every time.  I mean every.  time.  No matter where I went or what angle I tried to shoot from.

Even when the captains were shaking hands.

Even when it was my son that I couldn't see shaking hands as a captain.

Usually the refs get the play set up and then move to the sideline so the players can run without crashing into them.  This guy was set up almost in line with the players.  I've only seen that done with little, little guys who are like teeny, tiny balls of football fluff that couldn't run over a marshmallow much less a big, burly ref.

This is what it can look like when the refs know where they're supposed to be and get the hell out of the way.

Although, as I said, I do realize that they're there to do a job, and it's far more important than mine,

but, come on....

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood.  I've been looking at a ref's butt all morning.....