Fans optimistic with reg. refs return, but concerns linger

GREEN BAY - Walking around Lambeau Field Sunday afternoon, you're greeted with the sights and sounds that are expected with any Packers home game.

Plenty of music, food and fans were clad in their favorite players’ jerseys.

And while Green and Gold is still the preferred color of choice – on this day, there's quite a few “zebra” supporters, like Packers fan Kay Joho.

Joho, of Joliet, Ill. says she decided to wear the unmistakable black-and-white striped referee jersey to celebrate the referees’ return after the league and the referees union came to a new contract agreement late last week. The deal was inked Saturday.

Replacement referees were working in the union referees’ stead – which led to some controversial calls like in last Monday night’s Packers loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

“They weren’t ready for the job – it’s not their fault,” said Joho of the tough position the replacement refs were put in.

When asked what her refereeing experience is, Joho said it stops in the stands. And that’s just where she planned on cheering on the regular referees from.

"I’m going to be the loudest one in the stands,” said Joho.

Joho says just as the regular referees return, that hopefully means a return to Green Bay's winning ways.

"When we win today, and Dallas beats Chicago tomorrow, and Detroit beats Minneapolis today, we're all going to be 2-2 in the division and then it's just a do-over, and we just have to get to work and win the rest of the season," said Joho.

"Are you happy they're back?" asked FOX 11 of Dan Gill of Hortonville.

"Oh yeah,” said Gill, also wearing a referee jersey. “You got to do the job right. Give a few calls to the green!"

But don't think the controversial call is lost on Packers fans.

Some took to lampooning the confusion of the replacement referees, mimicking the simultaneous call by two refs signaling a touchdown and a touchback.

The touchdown would end up standing after a video review, giving Seattle the 14-12 win.

And some Saints fans are even standing in solidarity with the Packers.

"They didn't lose a game, they got hosed a game," said John Handley of Twin Lakes.

Handley says the replacement refs were put in a tough position; and without them, fans would have been without football for four weeks.

But he adds it's possible the repercussions from Monday could be felt weeks from now.

"I mean, the Seattle Seahawks might not even be in the playoffs, except for that one game,” said Handley. “The end of the season comes, now the Seahawks have a chance to make the playoffs because they were given a game."

It's a concern that Diane Riley echoes - but says the team has to turn over a new leaf and forget about the past.

"They have to start fresh - move on and forget about what happened,” said Riley.

And with the Packers' 28-27 win against the Saints, there are 12 more games to ensure that Seattle loss becomes a distant memory.