Referees in trouble for using pink whistles

BOTHELL — High school football referees who blew pink whistles to raise breast cancer awareness may be penalized for being out of uniform.

KING-TV reported that dozens of Seattle-area referees used the colorful whistles at Thursday night games and donated their game checks to the organization Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

But Washington Officials Association commissioner Todd Stordahl told KING that the refs didn’t ask for permission and disregarded official rules for appropriate uniforms. He said that sets a bad example for the players.

Stordahl said the association may keep the pink whistle blowers from officiating at two playoff games. That means the referees could lose two game paychecks.