21 | REFEREE August 2014 Quite simply, the officials who the officials Quite simply, “When you talk about an NBA The answer to the second official, I made a lot of mistakes and I made a lot of mistakes official, he would not be afraid to let me know about them. But he always had a way of telling you why you made them and trying it with a just might be approach different better.” embrace the chance to work games cover just about with Crawford everyone working in the NBA. you think of is the first guy referee, said Mike Callahan, Joe Crawford,” since who has worked in the NBA 1990. “Why? Because not only is he but as a partner on referee, a great he wants you to be even the floor, better than him. For the time I’ve is not a the NBA, there been around Joe.” worker at the craft than harder question — why a gifted official who openly concedes that he by periodic tainted his career the seismic outbursts received — highest honor in his profession elusive. While the is a little more ugly side of Joe has been played of NBA under the bright glare ad infinitum and replayed arenas on ESPN, his for public scrutiny passionate side has been a far more clandestine deal. The answer to the first question The answer to the first question you “One of the main reasons “I know when I was a young in the world has he been named in the world has he been named of the prestigious the recipient which Award, Gold Whistle places a significant value on contributions to the betterment by the National of officiating, Association of Sports Officials (NASO)? is that he has been one of the elite since 1977 in the NBA officials his personal and he overcame demons in the wake of the Duncan incident, when Stern’s suspension evolved into a career-altering Among epiphany for Crawford. is to his most passionate desires with an official as be remembered whom peers wanted to go to war and that has certainly been the case for years. wanted to work with Joe was you knew the game was going a game- of from to be taken care said management point of view,” Steve Javie, an official retired analyst who is one of ESPN rules closest friends. “Also, I Crawford’s knew I could learn each night from Joe. He is the best teacher and he on his crew knows how to protect happens. the court if trouble BA fans’ character sketch BA has been of Joe Crawford drawn in indelible ink. They long ago dismissed The signature case in point case in point The signature That was the end of Crawford’s still at it So how is Crawford By Peter Jackel N is unquestionably that Sunday afternoon in Dallas in 2007 when damn near imploded. Crawford That’s the time he ejected San Antonio Spurs all-star center Tim Duncan for laughing at Crawford the bench. Duncan even from him challenged claimed Crawford to a fight as emotions overflowed in the American Airlines Center. to see for YouTube on It’s all there yourself. after then-NBA season, if not career, Commissioner David Stern handed down a statement that opened with “Especially in the ominous words, light of similar prior acts by this a significant suspension is official, warranted.” than seven years after that more And why meltdown for the ages? him as that referee with a centimeter him as that referee fuse who occasionally highjacked games with his raging inferno of a temper.

ALBERT PENA/CAL SPORT MEDIA/NEWSCOM GOLDXXX WHISTLE AWARD: JOE CRAWFORD

That Joe Crawford exists only all about. And you’d better believe Maybe, just maybe, Sister Rose in the shadows. That Joe Crawford when Crawford was notified by Marie knocked one out of the park will do anything for anyone he Barry Mano, president of NASO, that with her prayer power within the encounters who needs a helping hand he was this year’s recipient, he was confines of her secretive quarters. For or a sturdy shoulder, like the time reduced to tears. a man whose NBA career might have he quietly picked up the $400 tab “I was brought into NASO by gone up in flames in 2007 has now for a frightened young foreign lady Eddie Rush, our former boss,” said been set in stone for what he is: an The NASO Gold Whistle Award stranded at an airport gate so she Crawford, referring to the NBA’s imperfect sweetheart of a guy at the was created by the NASO board of could fly back to her home country. director of officiating from 1998-2003. top of his profession who manned up directors to honor an individual or Or the time he was there for a “He used to tell me about going to his character issues and enhanced organization that has gone above and beyond in overall integrity and childhood friend named Jim Forrest. to the meetings and going to the his already bottomless pit of a heart. has made significant contributions “In 1986, I sought treatment for an conventions and everything. I said, “Joey depicts what every official to the betterment of officiating. The addiction to alcohol,” said Forrest, a ‘Ed, I have so much stuff going on in should strive to be,” said Jeff Gold Whistle is among the most friend of Crawford’s since they were the summertime coaching kids and Triplette, an NFL referee and chair coveted awards in the world of classmates at Cardinal O’Hara High that kind of stuff.’ But then I went and of the NASO board of directors. sports officiating. To be selected as the award recipient by the NASO School in from 1965-69. I fell in love with the event every year. “That’s someone who got to the top board of directors, consideration is “When I was in treatment, Joey called I’ve been to, I guess, six or seven, and of his game early, but always worked given for: my parents to find out what going on. When Crawford (far left with Bill Oakes in 1992) talks, even luminaries such as I used to sit in the audience and I’d to stay at the top of his game and • Significant contributions to the My parents told him where I was and (right) and Dennis Rodman listen. watch the presentation and I would never stopped trying to improve. He betterment of officiating. how long I might be there. Joey asked say, ‘My Lord, have mercy!’ always has been a caring and giving • A high degree of integrity and ethics. my parents if I needed help to pay for “I was pretty much of a pro individual to lots of individuals, lots • Qualities that are held in high this treatment. He said just let him renounced their worldly lives. Their “I don’t know how much money official snob until I started attending of organizations and has been very regard by the industry. know and he would give them money severely structured lives include he’s given to the Poor Clares over the these things and I found out about quiet in that regard, but had that • Consistent record of presenting for my treatment if it was needed. sleeping on beds of straw, never for years, but I know it’s substantial,” all these officials from all over the hothead image. officiating in a positive light. “He was very supportive of me in more than four hours at a time, rising Perretta said. “He runs a referee clinic world and all these different sports “But he worked hard to change • Exhibiting a “service above self” attitude. Public service to my recovery. Whenever I would go in the middle of the night to pray, during the summer and I know the and what their passions were and that and he’s worked hard to realize officiating, having a motivating to his house, he and his wife, Mary, existing on bare essentials and having proceeds he gets from that he sends how they loved what they did. When that just didn’t get him where he effect on others and/or strong would make sure there was iced tea virtually no contact with the outside to them. He also sends money to me I’d see this guy go up there and personally wanted to be. Some people community involvement are for me to drink. He never judged world. to give to her when I go visit. So he’s get this award ... when Barry Mano who are at the top of their game considered. or turned his back on me or anyone One of those nuns is Sister done a lot over the years.” called me, I still tear up because it’s might say, ‘Nah, I got here for who I The award can be made posthumously. else.” Rose Marie. She was once Shelley And Sister Rose Marie has never like, ‘Man, oh man, these people are am and they’re just going to have to In chronological order, here are Perhaps the most powerful look Pennefather, the NCAA Player of forgotten her flawed, yet treasured unbelievable. They’re all tremendous accept me for who I am.’ But he said, the 26 previous Gold Whistle Award into the side of Crawford so few get the Year in women’s basketball for friend whom she got to know her first stories. And it never entered my head ‘No, I need to change.’ He’s someone recipients: Art McNally, 1988; the to see can be found on a reclusive Villanova in 1987 who turned her season at Villanova. that, ‘Hey, Joe Crawford, one of these I call a friend, but I also admire him late Ed Myer, 1989 (deceased); dead-end street about a mile and back on a six-figure salary playing “She always asks how he’s doing,” days, you’re going to get that thing.’ as someone you want to be like.” Pete Pavia, 1990 (deceased); Larry Barnett, 1991; Jim Tunney, a half from Route 1 in Alexandria, professionally in Japan to follow her Perretta said. “He is on her list and Honest to God, it never entered my Not too shabby at all for 1992; Steve Palermo, 1993; Ron Va. There stands an older structure heart into a spiritual life. she prays for him, just like she prays head.” Crawford, who belies the image Asselstine, 1994; Ed Hightower, connected to a chapel, which houses By special permission of the for me. When things have not gone 1995; Bernie Saggau, 1996; Ted cloistered Poor Clare nuns who have Mother Superior, Villanova Coach perfect for him, he’s said, ‘Let Shelley Butcher, 1997 (deceased); Durwood Harry Perretta has been granted know so she can pray for me and Merrill, 1998 (deceased); Tommy Nunez, 1999; Tom Dooley, 2000; brief access to his former star player hopefully everything will work out.’” Paul Stewart, 2001; Larry Young, every June for the past 22 years. How can it possibly be suggested 2002; Bob Delaney 2003; Bob Perretta, Villanova’s coach since that it hasn’t for this most complex McElwee 2004; John W. Keys 1979, can speak to Sister Rose when and misunderstood man? As he 2005 (deceased); Blow the Whistle she appears at a screen and the heads into the final stretch of an NBA on Cancer Campaign, 2006; Jerry Markbreit, 2007; Marcy Weston, experience has never been less than career that started when he was 26, 2008; Mills Lane, 2009; Emily overwhelming for him. Crawford has worked more playoff Alexander, 2010, Esse Baharmast, “When I go there, there’s just a games (300 going into this postseason) 2011; Terry Gregson, 2012; Bill total sense of peacefulness,” Perretta and Finals (49) than anyone in the LeMonnier, 2013. said. league. He also has appeared in the When the two chat, Perretta Finals every year since 1986, except

notices a profound spiritual presence for the year he was suspended for the COURTESY OF THE CRAWFORD FAMILY interspersed with hints of her old Duncan incident. sense of humor. Their conversation But the giant he has been in his inevitably turns to Crawford, who profession for more than 35 years is she once knew as an official back dwarfed by the man so few ever get in and whom she to see — a man who almost perfectly Crawford, shown here in 1980, entered the now knows as a limitless source for embodies the model of what a Gold Brother Jerry (left) was an MLB for 35 seasons while father, Shag (who died in

NBA in 1977 at age 26. charitable donations. Whistle Award recipient should be REFEREE STEVEN SCHWARTZ; 2007), umpired in the NL for 20 years.

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he may never completely shake they were going to get in a cab and I just couldn’t understand people at a higher level. Somehow, some by laughing easily and swerving go to the airport. who don’t know a thing about it but way, by telling people what they did effortlessly into self-deprecation “We say, ‘Hey, Dad!’ and he actually holler at you.” wrong, Joe made everyone feel good during conversations. He considers comes over and hugs us, but two Crawford finally bottomed out about themselves. The kids loved his life to be an open book with twists seconds later, he’s in a cab. That has with the Duncan episode. He remains him, the young referees were in awe and turns — no controversy in his stuck with me my entire life. I talk haunted by the sheer ugliness of of him and the parents were thrilled career is off limits with him. about that with my sister. She asked, that afternoon, but he also started to have him around.” He was born Aug. 30, 1951, the ‘What would you have done?’ I said, re-inventing himself during those Like DiDonato, whose daughter youngest of four children to Henry ‘I would have gone back to Philly long months before Stern reinstated played in grade school back in those and Vivian in Havertown, Pa., about with my kids, I would have gotten him in time for the 2007-08 season. days. nine miles west of Philadelphia. Joe Crawford and his wife, Mary, have my kids home and then I would “I knew then that I had to do “I am here to tell you in the Henry “Shag” Crawford was five been married for 42 years. have flown from Philly to L.A.’ As I something,” Crawford said. “That simplest way possible that Mr. years away from breaking into the look through the years, I think, ‘I get wasn’t good. That, again, was the Crawford is a kind, gentle and major leagues as an umpire for what it, Dad, with your profession.’ His macho thing where I’ll prove I can do considerate soul, a man who turned out to be a 19-year career. the impact he believes that one day passion was off the charts and he it and I did it. It wound up biting me would give the shirt off his back to , one of the two nearly 50 years ago had on him. gave it to me and my brother. I get in the ass. I haven’t been happy with anyone who needed it,” DiDonato brothers he shared a room with in “I don’t know whether it touched that. But those kinds of things he was myself since I did that. That was the said. “What higher praise could be their tiny two-bedroom home at 1637 me where I had to prove for some pretty inept at. low mark, the real, real low mark of bestowed upon anyone, especially a Frazier Ave. — Shag upgraded to a reason that I have to do more effort- “I love my father to death. I my career.” Joe Crawford public figure?” three-bedroom dwelling the year he wise, that I have to put this time in,” just think he could have done some But with his demons finally Ask any referee about Crawford’s broke into the major leagues in 1956 Crawford said. “Like, I’m always in things a little more fatherly.” locked away, we can truly celebrate >> AGE, HOMETOWN, FAMILY: Born mastery on NBA courts for 37 years — followed in his father’s footsteps the gym working out, I’m constantly Maybe that explains why the man and the official he is as the Aug. 30, 1951, in Havertown, Pa.; and they will be effusive. But the in the major leagues from 1976-2010. looking at the rules ... I don’t know Crawford has been a loving husband passing of time erodes the stuff that currently resides in Newton Square, Pa., greatest praise for Crawford is not for near Philadelphia with his wife, Mary. Perhaps the seeds to what Joe if it was because I was scarred, to Mary for 42 years, a devoted dad wasn’t as pleasant. What can be said Three children: Amy, Megan and Erin. his accomplishments in NBA arenas, would become, both as an elite NBA that someone said I wasn’t that to daughters Amy, Megan and Erin with certainty is that Crawford hurt but rather for who he has emotionally official and someone who cannot intelligent.” and a world-class grandpa to nine only himself when his temper got the >> OCCUPATION: NBA referee. touched in his everyday life. do enough for people, were planted The mixed emotions he had for grandchildren. And maybe that best of him, but that he has helped It’s in the shadows, NBA official in May 1965, just as he was about his father, who died in 2007 — just explains why Joe is always the life of more people than anyone — even >> EDUCATION: Cardinal O’Hara High Monty McCutcheon said, where School in Springfield, Pa. Neumann to graduate from the eighth grade three months after the Duncan family functions. Crawford himself — will ever know. College 2008. Crawford has truly been at his best. at St. Pius XI Elementary School incident — also play into the man he “To our family, Joe is revered,” “I was working on a playground “From hotel employees to van in Broomall, Pa. Sister Joanne was would become. Shag was certainly Jerry Crawford said. “Everyone in one summer night back in 1986,” said >> OFFICIATING: Entered the NBA in drivers to the neighborhood parish singling out students when she turned generous with his kids. How about our family loves Joe and there’s a Mark Wunderlich, an NBA official 1977 at the age of 26; prior to joining the in which he was raised, Joe has her attention to Joe. the time he gifted Jerry with a glove reason for that. Joe is a kind and from 1990-2010. “A lot of players NBA, he officiated in the Eastern League been a selfless giver who is quick (CBA) from 1974-76; has officiated “They were giving out awards and worn by while Joe got gentle guy and he takes time to have were complaining on every call. A more than 2,500 regular season, 300- to make those working hard for a I wasn’t a great student,” he said. “I one of Ken Boyer’s gloves? Or the fun with everybody. And he’s very, man walked across a creek adjacent plus playoff and 49 NBA Finals games; living feel included, validated and was far from that, to be honest with box of more than 100 major league very generous with the family.” to the court following the game. I assigned to the 1986, 1992 and 2000 welcomed through his sense of you. Back in those days, you had 60 for the neighborhood boys The question begs to be asked: figure, ‘Here comes another guy to NBA All-Star Games, as well as the 1993 humor and questions about their kids in the classroom and she’s giving to use at the vacant lot? Why was he such a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. vent his frustration at my limited McDonald’s Championship in Munich, lives,” said McCutchen, who has Germany; his playoff and NBA Finals out all these awards and I didn’t But Shag could also be a distant Hyde for so many years? Why did skill set.’ totals are the most among active NBA worked in the NBA since 1993. “I’ve expect to get anything — just like the man, both in his marriage and with such a compassionate man so often “He said, ‘My name is Joey officials. seen the neighborhood corner shoe Gold Whistle Award. And then she his kids, who also included daughter simply lose it within the confines of Crawford, I just worked the NBA repair man, ‘Lou the Shoe,’ have a said, ‘We’re giving the effort award Patti, the eldest, and Henry. That arenas — to such an extent that he Finals and I have been watching lighter step when Joe walks in with this year to Joseph Crawford. Joseph was never more evident to little consulted a psychologist? Looking you out of my kitchen window all shoes. I’ve seen a young referee’s tries very hard and does very well in Joe than on Oct. 3, 1963, at Yankee back on it, Crawford surmises that he summer. I think you should try and “I used to see him at all the demeanor change for the better school and he has a low IQ.’ Stadium when the Los Angeles had such a passion for his profession pursue NBA refereeing. You have no local gyms in Delaware County, Pa., when Joe Crawford offers words of “I didn’t know what an IQ was, Dodgers took a 2-0 lead in the that he simply would not tolerate idea what you are doing, but I see where we both resided,” said John encouragement.” right? And I have this scroll to Joseph over the Mantle-Maris any disrespect — to the extent of something I like.’ DiDonato, Crawford’s attorney and “I’ve seen it so many times that Crawford for the effort award and I New York Yankees. The Series was tarnishing his own image. “He changed my life in one close friend since the early 1990s. it has become clear to me that this is go home and I’m happy as hell. I walk shifting to Los Angeles and Joe can “It always makes me laugh that conversation with a glance and a “Sometimes, Joe was there as a the totality of the man and the public in the house and my mom says, ‘How still feel the emptiness of all but people who have never done this feeling I could become an official in fan or to observe a young official. ideas about him are more shadow did it go, Joseph?’ And I say, ‘Hey being abandoned by his dad after the actually believe that just because they the NBA. He saw something in me Sometimes, he was helping coach a than substance.” Mom. Guess what? I got the effort game. watch, they know what you do,” I did not. Someone he had never team of young girls. No matter what To be sure, this year’s Gold

award. Sister said I got it because I’ve “My sister and I were waiting Crawford said. “As the years have GEORGE BRIDGES/MCT/NEWSCOM talked to. I owe him everything for the reason for his presence, you could Whistle Award recipient is one got a low IQ!’ Her mouth opens and after the game and my father’s gone by, I understand it now — that’s taking the time to change my life.” be assured of one thing — this guy misunderstood guy. And that’s just she says, ‘You don’t have a low IQ!’” passion was a little misplaced, to be being a fan, that’s being a coach, Crawford has simply had a way was loud, opinionated and manic. fine because as Ralph Waldo Emerson Crawford was laughing as he honest with you,” he said. “They that’s being a player, whatever. But of turning up at so many places “Joe would jump up and down, once said, “To be great is to be mimicked his mother’s aghast were leaving directly after the game in all those years when I was dealing over the years and leaving a lasting exhorting everyone to do better. misunderstood.” reaction. But then he quickly in New York and flying to L.A. He with those anger issues, and still do, I impression with a style that has to be He would encourage and cajole the Peter Jackel is an award-winning

regained his composure and isolated comes out with the other umpires and think that was the crux of the matter. OF HBO COURTESY seen to be believed. players and referees into performing sportswriter from Racine, Wis. *

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