One-eyed football referee sues over firing
One-eyed referee sues Big Ten over firing
July 18, 2006
BY NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter
Can a football referee call a game with just one eye?
Despite what some fans might say, James Filson, a Big Ten conference football referee, says he did it for years successfully and has the ability -- and the right -- to keep officiating games.
He makes the claims in a federal lawsuit he filed Monday after he says he was fired despite calling games for five years with just one eye.
When he was fired, Filson, of Bolingbrook, said he was told that if he "missed a judgement call, which all officials do from time to time, and the public or coaches knew he only had one eye he would have 'hell to pay,' " according to the lawsuit.
Chosen for Orange Bowl
A Big Ten football referee since 1992, Filson's life forever changed in 2000 after he missed a step, apparently fell and hit the corner of a desk, according to his lawsuit. After learning he permanently lost all sight in that eye, he had it removed and a prosthetic put in.
He said he was very open to his bosses about his issues and they wished him a speedy recovery. After some work and surgeries, he returned to officiating and did it for five more years. He was even chosen to referee the Orange Bowl -- "an honor only bestowed upon the highest rated officials in the conference," his lawyers wrote.
Filson says he loves the sport and is dedicated to his job, so after his surgeries he sought medical opinions, which told him he could return to his work. Before doing so, he said he spent the spring and summer of 2000 testing himself at semi-professional football and high school basketball games.
Michigan coach reportedly told
But he said his dream ended in the spring of 2005 when a reporter told University of Michigan's head football coach about Filson's one eye. Filson accuses the coach of calling Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney who allegedly urged Filson's firing. Filson said he met with Delaney who told him he was fired because he did not "have two eyes" and lacked "full field of vision." Another supervisor allegedly told Filson the problem emerged "because the coaches know."
Filson says his firing is a violation of the federal disability act and is seeking back pay, reinstatement, and compensatory and punitive damages among other fees.
A Big Ten spokesman could not be reached for comment.
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