USA Football

It’s a family affair for the Samus family, Fernadina Beach, Florida.

Joe Samus, age 47, husband 22 years, dad 21 years.

Vicki Samus, age (woman’s prerogative), wife 22 years, mom 21 years.

JJ Samus, age 21, son 21 years & brother 18 years.

Jimmy Samus, age 18, son & brother 18 years.

A typical schedule could read: “Reberio, Samus X 3”

This is what has famously become known as “Family Day with Ray.”

A few years ago, there were two father son combos in the North Florida Football Officials Association and these two combos were sent with Crew Chief Ray Reberio to Flagler Florida. The assigner called it “Family Day with Ray.” It’s become a tradition since to send the Samus’ with Ray for a weekend assignment.

Daddy Samus, Joe, has called it a highlight of his officiating career. “I loved Family Day with Ray!” When asked why he got into officiating, he said, “I wanted to be involved and get on the other side of the ball after being a Pop Warner Commissioner for 7 years.”

Mom Vicki said she got into officiating because he had been involved in Pop Warner so long. Joe was a Commissioner of a site for many years, so of course, she was there every weekend. “Honestly, after our boys aged out of Pop Warner, I still wanted to be involved. Pop Warner is a way to still be involved with the kids and it’s great exercise.” She added, “It was hard as a woman to be accepted as an official. It’s hard work, but more women should do it.” Not being the first woman has given her an out, though. “I’m the only woman since Annalee. People call me Annalee at games, even though I have 4 years, and I blame Annalee for my mistakes.”

JJ, a college man at University of Central Florida now, admitted, “I wanted to take part in the joy of teaching kids about Pop Warner football and good sportsmanship because I got kicked out for 2 games for fighting when I played.” He appreciated the officials association for their acceptance. “The NFFOA didn’t have an age bias. Even though I was a kid, I was treated fairly. Being told by a coaching staff one weekend that our crew was the best they had seen was rewarding.”

Jimmy, a recent high school graduate, admitted, “I got into it for the money. I was playing high school and wanted a part-time job. I also wanted to stay involved.”

Mom & dad wanted him to say family tradition.

Jimmy added, “A highlight was my 1^st white-hat. I was still a rookie, it was 3-man mechanics, and it had to be the toughest game ever. Both teams were good and the game went into overtime. It was great because Ray trusted me to let me have the white-hat and helped me stay in control, especially since it was an overtime game.”

During the interview, the assigning commissioner told the Samus’ something which prompted a “Heck yeah…It will be a challenge…It will be an experience” from the family of officials.

Coming soon, another “Family Day with Ray.”

Do you know an official who should be the Official of the Week? E-mail msref4e@aol.com with a story.