Referees’ return is emotional…and controversy-free for Ravens, Browns

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2012/09/28/referees-return-is-emotional-and-controversy-free-for-ravens-browns/



The NFL’s regular referees — the real refs — returned Thursday night, working the Cleveland Browns‘ game against the Baltimore Ravens in M & T Bank Stadium and, for a few moments, the scene was surreal.
They were greeted with a standing ovation and cheers. There were none of the “manure” chants that marred the nationally-telecast game from Baltimore on Sunday. Players and coaches greeted referee Gene Steratore and his crew warmly. “Good evening, men. It’s good to be back,” Stenatore told players and, with that, everything went back to normal. The game flowed smoothly with an evident sense of control and confidence that these guys were 99.9 percent sure what to do in every situation. Not that they’re perfect, but over three weeks, the contrast and just what they had brought to the game became apparent, culminating in the Monday night debacle.