This is an exciting time, the days before the KC Chiefs second consecutive appearance in the Super Bowl, the biggest game of the year. There will be two teams, each with a coach or leader, distinctive colors and mascots and dedicated fans.

Not just any individual can play in this game. They have to have had experience playing the game in junior and senior high school and then be “nominated” or offered a scholarship to play college football. If they excel at that level, they possibly can be drafted by a National Football League team. Whatever team drafts the players, he becomes a member of the team and strives to perform at his best. His goal and his reward for years of diligence and work ethics is a Super Bowl victory.

There will be two teams, one from each conference The game will be wrought with rivalry and animosity and trash talking. However, there are safeguards. There are rules and regulations by which the game is played. The whole process is guided over by officials or judges. The officials, laden with the task of promoting a fair and honest game, monitor the play of both teams.

There is a lead official, the referee or head judge, down judge, line judge, field judge, side judge and back judge. If any judge witnesses a violation of the rules by either team, play is halted and the violation is reported to the head judge or referee who determines the accuracy of the call and decides the guilt or innocence of the violation. If warranted, a penalty is assessed. For an egregious offense, a player can be ejected from the game, fined or sanctioned in some fashion.

Both teams have their right to challenge or appeal the ruling of the referee by throwing a red flag. The referee or head judge will review the play and the judge’s call with the assistance of instant replay. He may also call on the assistance of the NFL’s replay command center in New York, which will offer guidance in the determination of the correct call.

The governing body must see “indisputable visual evidence” that the call on the field was correct or incorrect. This whole procedure of observing and governing the game by judges and officials insures a fair and honest competition and outcome. The leaders of the sport of football, with their rules and regulations as determined and agreed upon by both teams, assures the fans that the game is fair and without fraud.

In the end, when the time is out, the team with the most points is declared the winner. It is what it is. The game was determined to be fair and honest through the guidance and the watchful eyes of the judiciary crew. Even though contested or challenged, as per rules and regulations, the game ends. The winner is declared and the game is over. The coaches meet each other at midfield, shake hands and congratulate each other on playing a fair and honest game.

Losing teams and especially fans, often disheartened and disappointed, accept the result and drink another beer. My cousin, who resides in Appleton, Wisc., and is an avid Green Bay Packer fan, did not dispute the outcome of the Green Bay/ Tampa Bay playoff game, nor did he spread the untruth that the Packers won the game by a “blowout” or a “landslide” Also, Packer fans didn’t storm the NFL’s Replay Command Center to seek to disrupt the rules by which the game is governed and/ or attempt to reverse the outcome of the game.

Oh, that national politics could follow the example of the National Football League.

A footnote: The KC Chiefs this past week defeated the Buffalo Bills in the American Football Conference playoff game, or may I say the “primary” contest, gaining the right and privilege to play in the Super Bowl — the national competition.

Jonathan Dahlke

Holyrood