From June 1999
In the mid-1960s, my then girlfriend (soon to be wife) Jean and I were attending the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She was on a full scholarship and I was on the verge of getting kicked out for the third time. She took pity. She also introduced me to the songs of folk singer Bob Dylan. I especially gravitated toward the words Dylan used, presented lyrically and with unique punch. One song, title above, included reference to a referee. It raises the question of responsibility as a sports official. For me, it resonates to this day!
It’s a fight story. It’s a story about responsibility. Whose? Bob Dylan asked the question in a song he first recorded in 1963. As with many of his songs, the question posed by Dylan in this one has relevance far beyond the subject. In this case, professional boxer Davey Moore squared off against Cuban sensation Sugar Ramos. Moore was knocked out and subsequently died.
In the song, Dylan goes ‘round the horn, asking those with principal interest in the fight if they had responsibility. Each had a reason why not.
Moore’s opponent says: “Not me. I hit him yes, it’s true. But that’s what I am paid to do.
Don’t say ‘murder,’ don’t say ‘kill,’ it was destiny, it was God’s will.”
The boxing writer says: “Not me. Boxing ain’t to blame. There just as much danger in a football game. Fist fighting is here to stay. It’s just the old American way.”
The gambling man says: “Not me. It wasn’t me that knocked him down. My hands never touched him none. I didn’t commit no ugly sin. Anyway, I put money on him to win.”
The angry crowd says: “Not us. It’s too bad he died that night, but we just like to see a fight. We didn’t mean for him t’ meet his death. We just meant to see some sweat.
The manager says: “Not me. It’s hard to say, it’s hard to tell. I always thought he was well. It’s too bad for his wife an’ kids he’s dead, but if he was sick, he should’ve said.”
Who killed Davey Moore? Why and what’s the reason for? Dylan asks the referee that question. In fact, he asks him in the very first stanza. Clearly Dylan felt the referee needed to be asked first.
“Not I,” says the referee.
“Don’t point your finger at me.
I could’ve stopped it in the eighth
An’ maybe kept him from his fate.
But the crowd would’ve booed I’m sure,
At not getting their money’s worth.
It’s too bad he had to go,
But there was a pressure on me too, you know.
It wasn’t me that made him fall.
No, you can’t blame me at all.”
Officiating at its very core is about responsibility. Every time we work a game we “sign” a contract to fulfill the role of calling a game or match by the rules, managing properly to enable a contest fairly played. Others can spin a web of “it ain’t my responsibility,” but we can’t. “It wasn’t me that made him fall. No, you can’t blame me at all.” Keep Dylan in mind.
Referee Magazine Publisher, Barry Mano’s latest Publisher’s Memo. Found in the March, 2026 issue of Referee. For more information or to subscribe to Referee magazine, visit www.referee.com.
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