Tag Archives: referee

The Exercise That Doesn’t Feel Like Exercise

Posted on October 26, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

I’ve never loved exercise for its own sake. I like it best when I don’t notice I’m doing it — when I’m refereeing football, chasing a play down the sideline, or just living life in motion. The trick, I think, is finding ways to move that feel like joy instead of obligation… even if my favorite “workout” still involves bourbon curls. Continue reading →

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Before the Snap: Why the Little Things Matter

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

When I first started refereeing football, the pre-snap responsibilities nearly overwhelmed me. As a line judge, there are so many things to check before the ball is even snapped: making sure the right ball is in play and properly spotted, … Continue reading →

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The Priority That Shapes Every Other Priority

Posted on September 29, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Tomorrow, my number one priority is simple but foundational: to remember whose I am before who I am. If God really has changed my life, then my words and actions should show it—in the small exchanges and the big moments. … Continue reading →

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Walking? Working on It.

Posted on September 13, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

How often do I walk or run? Short answer: not as often as I should. On a good day I land between 6,000–8,000 steps just living life—teaching, errands, dog duty. Some days I don’t crack 5,000. Fall football season is … Continue reading →

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Drawn Toward Leadership

Posted on September 12, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Historically, I’ve found myself stepping into leadership roles—sometimes by choice, sometimes by circumstance. When I went back to college after the Air Force, I accepted the position of editor of The Campus Voice at FCCJ. Later at UNF, I ran … Continue reading →

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Tonight’s Plan: From Whistles to Whiskey

Posted on September 10, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Tonight, I’ll be reffing a middle school football game, which should wrap up between 6:30 and 7. After that it’s straight home: ref uniform into the washing machine, a light dinner, and then on to grading for progress reports. Most … Continue reading →

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More Than Fear, Less Than Greatness

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

If I’m being honest, one of my biggest motivations is responsibility. I know what happens when I drop the ball—because I’ve done it before. When I fail to follow through, it doesn’t just affect me; it affects the people who … Continue reading →

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Stripes, a Whistle and a Flag

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Douglas Blaine

Recent is a relative term, but a couple of years ago I decided that being a football referee would be a good part-time job. I started with girls’ flag football and then moved to the boys’ side of things in … Continue reading →

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