It hasn't been a great week for officials in terms of taking balls to the head. Wayne Barnes was thrown to the ground after Ian Keatley struck him in the face with a clearing kick. And while most Irish fans rejoiced at that sight, you have to give Barnes credit for jumping back to his feet and continuing to ref the game was his usual heavy handedness. But Barnes wasn't the only offcial that took a ball to the face this week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i2OoyIQ_TsY#!
NBA official Derek Richardson took a tumble after being on the receiving end of a Caron Butler block. Much like Barnes, Richardson was able to hop to his feet pretty quickly and play on. And while a rugby ball to the face would be far worse, Richardson was hardly asking for it. He was standing behind the endline, which is hardly a recipe for getting nailed in the face.
h/t sbnation
