Bud Steen (Postmedia News)
I’ve always liked the calm and confident manner in which CFL official Bud Steen handled both himself and the games he refereed. Bud is generally graceful under pressure. He’s also a lawyer, a partner with a local law firm. Interestingly, Bud felt his work on the field helped benefit his work in the court room. “The skills I’ve developed as an official have made me a better lawyer. I’m able to deal with the stress on my feet in court,” he told me Wednesday from the offices of his downtown law firm. Bud is also judge and jury when he has to make split second, on field decision on what he deems is within the boundaries of the rules. “I just deal with stuations that I observe and hopefully I’m able to exercise a good, objective judgement.”
Bud definitely made the right decision more than 30 years ago, when the Edmontonian and Eskimos fan, decided to change into his stripes. He witnessed some questionable officiating and had an epiphany. “I was watching an Eskimos game on television, I was critical of the officiating and said; if that guy can work in the Canadian Football League, so can I.” And he did. For over 500 games and counting now.
Bud took an officiating course at university, which led to refereeing at the amateur level, which led to an ivitation to a CFL officiating camp in 1981, which led to the longest career by a referee in league history. “It’s a lot of missed birthdays, a lot of missed anniversaries and things like that and a lot games in rain and sleet and crappy weather. But you get out on the field and we would get together many, many times at the first time out during the game and the guys would look at each other and look up at the crowd and say; man, is there anywhere else you would rather be tonight?”
The guys certainly didn’t do it for the acholades or the money. There was never much of either. So Bud and the boys blew their Fox 40’s and accepted the verbal abuse simply because they loved it and they felt they could play a small part in making the game better. “We’re in the entertainment business and if people think they’re getting their money’s worth, they’re going to buy season tickets, they’re going to support the team, the team is going to succeed and the league is going to succeed.”
Bud has recently managed to successfully mold his own officiating crew. “After two years of very hard work and a lot of games and some difficult situations, we’ve been recognized with the top game.” Bud’s magnificent seven have been selected to call Sunday’s game. Which is extra special for Bud, because he’s retiring. The head referee will officially conclude his CFL career, at home and in the Grey Cup no less. His seventh career Grey Cup game. “It’s unbelievable, what better way to go out, but on top, at home? It’s wonderful.” Then, this Bud is through.
Have a good game Bud.
See ya’.
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