The f-word in this case is football. I stayed away from playing the sport because I weighed 115 pounds in high school. That was small, even by 1952 standards. I stayed away from officiating it, therefore, because I "never played the game." And I stayed away from writing about it because I didn't know anything about it.

But there are things I (and you) observe that cross the lines of all sports. And after 60 or so years of watching football, I've come to the conclusion that life on the gridiron could be better for the boys in knickers.

The following list is, as they say on Dancing with the Stars, in no particular order.

I wish...

• that the upper-level officials would throw more flags for unsportsmanlike conduct on the benches.

I think specifically about coaches who upbraid guys working on the sidelines. The Head Linesman and Line Judge take far too much abuse.

Continued...