“Bobby made the right call,” Marty Clements said of long-time TSSAA officiant and friend, Bobby King. Clement, along with many others, recently spent an evening reminiscing and paying tribute to King’s 44 years with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.
Upon his retirement last year as Henderson City Mayor, King and his wife, Teresa, made the decision to relocate for the next chapter in their lives and so the decision was made to step down from TSSAA as well. A dinner was held in his honor Nov. 6.
King began working with TSSAA as an official in 1982 and continued in that capacity until 2004 when a car crash while on duty as a US Marshal changed his course. He loved to referee football, King said, and appreciated the association for allowing him to continue as a supervisor following the wreck, from 2005 until this year.
“Bobby always had our back,” said Joseph Melaro. “He loved being on the field; he was an advocate for the game, an advocate for you guys, for the sport.”
In an “open mic” format, one after another, King’s associates and friends shared memories and commendations from King’s years of service to the game.
“He’s going to make the right call every time he’s out there,” Clements said.
“I know for a fact he loves all of y’all and he appreciates each and every one of you,” said Craig Casey.
“I appreciate all Bobby’s done for officiating football and all of us guys… I wish you the best,” said one colleague. Another recalled King’s fair and creative disciplinary judgements. And another directed his thoughts toward King’s contributions to the association as a whole. “People like him, people like Robert, people like Jack Weaver, Marty Clement – those guys are mentors for the whole bunch…they taught me a lot about refereeing this game.”
Overwhelmingly, the sentiment was respect and appreciation - for King’s dedication to the integrity of the game and for his support of the officiants under his supervision.
“Bobby King loved the game...He knew his stuff and he took care of his business…He’s one of a kind.”
