By Aaron Allen
The Seattle Medium
Some people love sports so much that they want to be involved with them in any way that they can. Whether it’s as a player, coach or administrator or official, their desire to be involved with the game never goes away. James Canady is one of those people. As an official for the Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association (PNFOA), Canady, one of the first Black officials in the state of Washington, has been involved with football since his childhood as a player and as an official since 1974.
“I tried playing football, but a 124 to 135 pounder, back then I didn’t quite make it all the way,” says Canady of his playing days. “In 1974 I joined the PNFOA and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Since joining the officiating ranks, Canady has been giving back to his community in many ways. He has mentored numerous young Black people interested in the art of officiating, guiding them in how to orchestrate and maintain the rules of the game. He also stresses the importance of being professional.
His dedication and commitment to the sport is evident in his officiating style and attention to details when it comes to the rules of the game.
“I try to be as honest as possible out there [on the field],” says Canady.
“I also wear a coach’s hat, especially with the younger kids and even in the high schoolers,” he continued. “I will go up tell a coach what I see they’re doing wrong by the rule, so that they can improve themselves and not keep making the same mistakes.”
The officials are an important part of the game. They are the men and women you see blowing the whistle and wearing the black and white striped uniform, officiating and maintaining the game and their role is essential to the game from beginning to end. As a matter of fact, the game cannot begin without them.
In Washington State, the PNFOA is an organization responsible for supplying high school, junior high, youth recreation and semi–pro football leagues with officials. Within this organization is a dedicated and pioneering group of Black men who have given back to football and youth the spirit of sportsmanship and community service.
Before the 1970s there wasn’t much Black representation in most things. During the 60s and 70s, a renaissance of pioneers integrated many disciplines as Black people began getting involved and taking advantage of opportunities that weren’t imaginable prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For Canady officiating football was no different.
Between 1969 and 1974, Washington State began to witness its first Black officials on the field of high school and youth sports as four Black men joined the PNFOA integrating the organization for the first time.
These pioneers – James Canady, Carl Copeland, Barry Carter and Perry Wilkins a former Garfield principal, comprised what was affectionately known as the “all brother, brother crew.” Because of this bond and their love for the game the crew worked to exemplify their professionalism on the field.
According to Canady, it was Copeland who talked him into becoming an official after his dreams of being a player ended as a “walk on” at the University of Washington.
“Carl Copeland is the one who got me into officiating,” says Canady, who played little league football with Copeland
“I walked on at the University of Washington for about 3 weeks and gave it up,” recalled Canady.
“I was kind of like the Rudy before there was a Rudy,” he continued, referencing the real life experience of Rudy Ruettiger who walked on and played for Notre Dame.
Still wanting to be a part of the game, Canady hung up his shoulder pads and cleats in exchange for a whistle and never looked back.
Like a fraternal organization these Black officials paved the way for other young Black officials not only at the local level but into the collegiate and professional ranks as well. Their presence and mentorship inspired other officials to seek higher goals like officiating Super Bowl games and championship games at all levels of competition as well as teaching young players about the integrity and sportsmanship of the game.
“It’s like a fraternity, like school, what you put into it, is what you’ll get out of it,” says Canady “We’ve had two gentlemen from our organization that made it into the NFL. One of them [Tom Sifermen] has done three Super Bowls in row, which was unheard of. Another is a head referee in the NFL.”
Canady’s love for the game demanded his presence on the field be felt and officiating offered that opportunity. For Canady it’s been 42 years in the game, and he’s still helping to pave the way for those who come behind him.
With a long career and the respect of his peers in officiating football, Canady continues to help usher in opportunity. The opportunity to teach the lessons of leadership, sportsmanship and professionalism young people can learn in the midst of competition, because sports mimics life.
