LUBBOCK, Texas – Oscar Shorten was inducted in the National Football Foundation’s Hall of Fame. Shorten mentioned he was honored by the recognition, however he doesn’t officiate video games for awards – he does it as a result of he loves being an element of the recreation in a technique or one other.
“[When] getting recognition or awards,” Shorten mentioned, ”you have a look at what’s actually there in why you actually do what you do. I do know at the finish of the day, I actually do it as a result of I find it irresistible all. I’ll officiate soccer till I can’t transfer.”
Shorten spent most of his life in West Texas. Growing up in Amarillo, Shorten performed soccer at Tascosa High School and from there he landed a soccer scholarship at Abilene Christian University. After faculty, he went on to play on the nationwide stage and performed for each the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears.
Shorten determined in the early 2000s to change from enjoying soccer to officiating it. He mentioned the selection was made when he determined to quiet down and have a household. That means, he may nonetheless be on the area and be concerned otherwise. Shorten mentioned he believes all of it occurred precisely the means it was meant to.
“My dad told me something when I was young,” Shorten mentioned. “He mentioned soccer is life … In each soccer recreation there are 4 or 5 performs that determine the recreation, and that’s [true in] officiating, too. The drawback is that you simply don’t know what these 4 or 5 performs are or after they’re going to occur.
“So, if you’re given half effort, if you’re loafing on one of those four or five plays, and that’s one of the four or five plays that happens, you’re not going to be prepared in the game that may pass you by. That’s the same way in your life,” he mentioned.
Lubbock-Cooper ISD’s Athletic Director Max Kattwinkel mentioned he’s had years of expertise with Shorten and that he stands for each trait the award represents.
“The thing I noticed about him is he’s so great with people,” Kattwinkel mentioned. “He mentors young coaches that are learning how to coach. He helps kids and athletes learn the game of football. He’s there to help facilitate the game and make it go smoother.”
Kattwinkel isn’t the just one who spoke extremely of Shorten and his current award. Former Texas Tech coach and player Rodney Blackshear mentioned Shorten has officiated many video games Blackshear has each performed and coached. Blackshear mentioned he and Shorten haven’t at all times seen eye to eye, however he at all times revered him.
“He’s been able to utilize the talent that God gave him, and he just translates that to refereeing and his passion for the game,” Blackshear mentioned. “And you can tell the way he approaches his assignments so to speak over the years it’s the reason for where he’s at right now.”