Luckily, I Was Sober

60-second read

Most of us are more ready than we think, we just don't trust it.

In 2017 there was a first-division Belgian Cup football game that took place between KV Mechelen and KRC Genk.

Deep into extra time, the referee went down injured. Then his assistant went down too. They didn’t have replacements.

So the stadium announcer got on the PA, and asked if there was anyone in the crowd who was a qualified referee. 

Luc Bosmans, a Mechelen fan watching from the stands, volunteered. He was later quoted as saying "…luckily I was sober".

Bosmans was an experienced referee, but he was working at provincial level — the football equivalent of middle management.

He was given a uniform and a flag and sent out onto the pitch to do his thing.

He didn't put a foot wrong. At one point he even had to step in and sort out a scuffle between two players.

Mechelen lost on penalties. Bosmans still called it one of the best nights of his life.

The gap between 'qualified' and 'ready' is mostly confidence.