Dad Assaults 72-Year-Old Ref At Middle School Basketball Game
Every time I come across stories like this, I just roll my eyes in disbelief. I played basketball-at a very high, competitive level-all over the world (literally). And I NEVER saw anything like this. Now, that’s not to say that I didn’t come across referees who I WANTED to be treated like this, but you just can’t do it. ESPECIALLY if you are a parent, supposedly trying to set an example for your kids. 31-year-old, 6′ 6″, Mark McLaughlin has been hit with one count of assault in the second degree after allegedly knocking over a referee in a December 16 game-causing bodily harm. By the way, I hate using the word “allegedly” when video doesn’t lie.
A dad in Washington state who's 6'6" and over 200 pounds assaults a 72-year-old referee at a middle school basketball game pic.twitter.com/61bH6LfxUV
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) January 5, 2022
McLaughlin is facing up to 10 years behind bars if convicted. I don’t know if I’m all in for that, but he definitely needs to be banned from his son’s games for a minimum of one year with a zero-tolerance policy on behavior following that. Parents, let the kids play. Let the refs ref. Be better.
