A high school referee was suspended after walking out on a volleyball game he was set to line judge when he witnessed a player take a knee during the national anthem.
In a fury, Jim Saddler, 67, also an Air Force veteran, exited the court at a North Central High School women’s varsity game in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 9.
The conservative Saddler first grew angered when he saw several visitors in the stands sitting during the anthem, and was set off further after seeing the student kneel.
While speaking with the Indy Star, Saddler admitted that his actions may have been viewed as outlandish, saying: ‘I guess I went AWOL. I feel bad about it.’
Jim Saddler, 67, (right) an Air Force One veteran, was suspended after he walked out on a volleyball game he was set to line judge
The incident happened at a North Central High School women’s varsity game in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 9
The conservative Saddler (right) first grew angered when he saw several visitors in the stands sitting during the anthem, and was set off further after seeing the student kneel
But he couldn’t help but feel passionate about the matter, as a retired Presidential Flight Attendant on Air Force One, adding: ‘In the Air Force, you have a duty, and you do it.’
After he received his 18-month suspension, Saddler has had time to reflect on his actions.
‘After I thought about it, I would never ever do that again. I would never break a contract,’ he told the newspaper.
‘What they did just upset me so badly that I just could not stay there,’ he added.
‘And after I thought about it, I would never ever do that again. I would never break a contract,’ Saddler said in a statement
‘(But) I know it’s her constitutional right to do what she wants to do, and it wasn’t fair to the other girls who were standing and respecting the flag.
‘After I thought about it, you know … sometimes it takes you a little time to sit down and think about stuff and what you did.’
North Central athletic director, Paul Loggan, said the sports officiate has worked the high school’s football, volleyball and softball games for several years without any issues.
‘He’s a very well-respected official and man,’ Loggan said.
While speaking of the incident earlier this month, he suggested Saddler acted ‘very professional’ and did not lash out on anyone inside the gymnasium at the time.
Regardless, his actions stirred up controversy. Soon after the incident, he received a letter from IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox – who informed him of his temporary suspension.
When Saddler arranged a meeting to the discuss the matter into further detail, Cox said his breach of contract left him no other choice.
The commissioner described his actions to be a ‘violation of the policies, purposes, rules and regulations of the IHSAA, which would have a negative or detrimental effect upon the IHSAA, its members, students or the public.’