Steve Shaw and his crew may be some of the most important people to set foot on a football field. But you may never hear their names announced at the collegiate games they attend, and chances are, you may not even get to see their faces.
However, their voice is heard loud and clear as Shaw, a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, announces the penalties and play calls during Southeastern Conference (SEC) games.
An SEC official for eight seasons, Shaw said that as the “white cap,” or head referee on the field, he announces rather than makes the calls and penalties before, during or after plays.
However, “I get to bear the brunt of the boos,” he said good-naturedly.
Shaw, who is also the assistant vice president of marketing for BellSouth, said that kind of pressure can build up, and that’s when he turns to his fellow referees and his faith.
“Football referees have become public figures as every call is scrutinized and commented on,” Shaw said. “So you use one another and your faith to lean back on when it gets tough.”
One way Shaw leans on his faith is by attending Shades Mountain Baptist as often as possible.
Although it has gotten harder to be home on Sunday morning as the number of night games has increased, Shaw said he and his wife, Jamelle, almost always make it back in time for the Sunday evening service.
He added that although some may find the image of a Christian referee incongruous, there has been a strong Christian movement among football officials in recent years, especially with the crew with which he works.
“We pray before every game and meal,” Shaw said. “The bond we have in Christ helps us as officials.”
Shaw said it is that bond and their faith that are essential as the pressures of doing their jobs well can be great for referees. He and his crew are evaluated every game — they watch films every week of the past games, and they get graded on how well they call a game.
“We work hard to get it right,” Shaw said. “A lot of times you can start thinking about the pressures of the game, the fans, the money involved, but if you keep in mind the big picture, it helps relax you and helps you work the games. My faith helps me keep my perspective.”
Shaw added having his wife travel with him when possible helps him maintain a good balance.
“She is always there to keep things in perspective,” he said. “College football is important, but not as important as my faith or family, and she’s there to keep that in perspective.”
Shaw’s faith has helped him in another athletic arena — the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
As a football player at Berry High School in Vestavia Hills, Shaw was involved with FCA as a student. Now, as a member of the board for the Central Alabama chapter of FCA for three years and as a college official, Shaw said he is often asked to speak to high school students.
“At Berry High School, FCA was important to me, so I was excited to get involved with it again,” Shaw said. “Reaching students through the schools and FCA appealed to me. It’s an opportunity to share Jesus Christ in a nonthreatening environment.”
And while he may have a loud, direct voice on the field, Shaw said being a referee also lets him share his faith in nondirect ways.
He said he is often invited to speak to civic groups and at Superbowl-related activities, such as the Superbowl event held at Shades Mountain Baptist.
Shaw said that although many who attend these events are expecting to hear humorous football stories, he tries to share his faith and tell about FCA as well.
“You never know the influence you’ll have when you speak at one of these (events),” Shaw said. “People will come to hear a football referee, but it’s a way to share stories of faith that people will listen to because [the stories] come from athletics.”
Shaw and his crew have officiated two SEC championship games, in 1998 and 2001.
They finished the 2003 regular season officiating the LSU/ Arkansas game Nov. 28. Shaw said he is “very hopeful we get to work a bowl game.”
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