Authorities investigate threats made toward referee in Kentucky-UNC game

The referee's roofing business also received a slew of phone calls and negative reviews on social media

Following Kentucky’s loss to North Carolina in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, Wildcats fans from near and far went after one referee, John Higgins.

Kentucky fans left scores of negative, fake reviews on the Facebook page of Higgins’ roofing company. Others resorted to death threats by obtaining his unlisted home phone along with his business phone. Higgins said he received thousands of phone calls, emails and Facebook postings from angry Kentucky fans.

Higgins consulted with law enforcement for a two-hour meeting shortly afterward, and now those threats are under investigation, according to the Associated Press. Matt Barrall of the Sarpy County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Department said he was in his fifth day working full-time on the investigation with no end in sight.

‘’We are taking this very, very -- extremely -- seriously,’’ Barrall told the AP. ‘’Some people might say, ‘Oh, it’s just a basketball game.’ But what if some mentally unstable person decides this is the way to make a name for himself?’’

In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Higgins said family members wanted him to quit the officiating profession and focus on his roofing business after the incident. But Higgins didn’t give it much thought.

“I knew the eyes and cameras would be on me because of the national exposure and situation,” Higgins said. “I said to myself, ‘I’m not going to quit because of this -- it’s too much pressure, it’s too hard.’ We got through it, and I thought we did a good job. I’ve got seven months to think about next year.”

No one is perfect at their job, that much we can all agree on. But for such a large group of fans angry about a game to go to this length to harass one official is beyond overboard. Higgins is one of the best in the business. There’s a reason he’s officiating in big games like the Elite Eight (and Gonzaga’s win over South Carolina in the Final Four).

And even though it shook up Higgins and his family, he’s decided he’s not calling it quits. Higgins has a good perspective about the situation now that a week has passed. He’s worried about putting his business back together and preparing for the offseason.

“My job is to be fair to both teams, be professional and demand sportsmanship,” Higgins said. “That’s what we’re supposed to do as officials. That’s what I try to do every time I get out.”