Inmates to become high school referees to ease shortages

Huntsville, Texas | In a bold move to address the shortage of certified high school football referees, local officials have turned to an unlikely source: inmates.

That's right, inmates from the nearby prison have been given the chance to become football referees in order to ease the shortage of qualified officials. The decision has been met with mixed reactions from the community.

The decision to use inmates as referees was allowed by the state's athletic association, which cited a lack of available officials as the reason for this unconventional move. To prepare for their new role, the prisoners underwent a brief training program and were outfitted with orange jumpsuits with white stripes.

"The opportunity to become a high school football referee is a great way for these prisoners to gain valuable experience in a low-stress environment," said the prison warden in a statement. "We believe that this will help them in their rehabilitation and reintegration into society."

Some parents have voiced their support for the move, citing the shortage of referees as a major problem for local schools. "If this means my child can play football and there will be a ref there, then I'm all for it. We need a scholarship" said one parent.

However, not everyone is pleased with the decision. A group of parents have organized a protest, citing concerns about safety and the credibility of the new referees. "I don't want my child on the field with someone who's wearing an orange jumpsuit with white stripes," said one concerned parent.

The new officials will indeed be wearing orange jumpsuits with white stripes, as part of their uniform. The local prison partnered with the district to purchase new Nike orange and white striped uniforms from after Colin Kaepernick’s protests inspired the program. Despite the controversy, some of the prisoners themselves are looking forward to the opportunity.

Some prisoners are thrilled with their new role. One inmate, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "I'm really excited about being a referee. It's a great opportunity for me to punch back to the community and learn some new skills. Plus, I get to be on the field, watch some football, and listen to the parents feedback which is a nice change of pace from prison life."

Only time will tell if this bold move pays off for the local high schools, but one thing's for sure: the football games are bound to be a little more interesting with these new officials on the field.