As the regular season heads down the stretch and teams vie for a trip to Charlotte for December’s Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Championships, every play and every game start to carry a little more weight. With that intensity can come added tension on the field, on the sidelines, and in the stands. We hope everyone can take a breath, keep perspective, and let cooler heads prevail, especially in how we treat our opponents, fellow spectators, and the officials who make every game possible.

That’s because across every field, court, rink, and gym, youth sports depend on one thing we too often take for granted: the men and women in stripes who make the games possible. Without them, there are no games.

Yet across the country, the number of officials is shrinking. Too many have walked away, worn down by the rising tide of verbal abuse, harassment, and even physical confrontations. The impact is being felt everywhere, with thinner crews, rescheduled games, and in some cases, canceled seasons.

At Pop Warner, we believe it’s time to draw a line, and to lead a change. That’s why we’re proud to launch Respect the Ref, a national campaign to celebrate, defend, and recruit the men and women who keep our sports safe, fair, and fun.

Respect the Refs is more than a slogan. It’s a movement designed to reset expectations for parents, coaches, players, and fans. No one likes it when a call doesn’t go their way. That’s part of competition. But when disappointment turns into disrespect or hostility, we all lose. The lesson we want our young athletes to learn — teamwork, composure, and respect — starts with the way adults behave on the sidelines.

Through our new public service announcement, social content, and recruitment partnerships with officiating organizations, we’re telling the real stories of the people behind the whistles and flags. They are teachers, firefighters, nurses, veterans, and students. People who love the game and give their free time to it. They do it to stay connected to a sport they love, to mentor kids, and to make a difference in their communities.

We’re also using this campaign to inspire the next generation of officials. Being a ref builds leadership, confidence, and a deeper understanding of teamwork. For older teens and adults, it’s a chance to develop life skills and give back to the game in a meaningful way. Through “Say Yes to Officiating,” our partners at the National Association of Sports Officials are making it easier than ever for people to get involved and start officiating locally.

Ultimately, Respect the Refs is about preserving what’s best in youth sports, the sense of community, the spirit of fair play, and the example we set for our kids. Every time we show respect for an official, we reinforce the values that make sports such a powerful force for good.

To every official out there, Pop Warner says thank you. We see you. We appreciate you. And we’re committed to making sure you have the support and respect you deserve.

We wish all our teams and their families good luck the rest of the season and hope you set the positive example of how to treat those who are there to enjoy the sport and keep the games flowing.

Best,


Steve Strawbridge
President & CEO
Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.