For much of Kelly Critchfield's life, he has been booed.

It's time for that to change.

It's time for sports fans to start a rally of their own. Do the wave of support. Create signs of encouragement.

How about giving Kelly Critchfield a little love?

Okay, so he was a referee. You yelled at him, questioned his vision, tested his temper and sometimes couldn't look at him without taking medication for high blood pressure.

All the while he's officiated 18 high school basketball state championship games and nine state football championship games. He took your abuse all those years along with the big bucks, the $45 he earns for officiating high school games.

Why? Only he knows, but he came back year after year for three decades.

Who would do that?

What's wrong with him?

Besides his love for officiating, Kelly Critchfield now has cancer.

I first got to know Critchfield in 1993 when he was an official. I respected him enough to ask him to write a column for the newspaper called the "Correct Call." He fielded questions from readers on rules and officiating.

Since then he's continued to officiate and has now become one of the most recognizable faces in high school sports.

Over the years, Critchfield was in real estate. He tried a few other things, but he never did hang up the whistle. He always kept a flag in his pocket.

Other people have stories about Critchfield. For instance, Herald sports editor Darnell Dickson puts together the annual Utah County All-Star High School basketball game that is a benefit for charity. He makes one call, that's all to Critchfield, who regularly donates his time and finds other officials to join him so the all-stars can enjoy the game. He has also served as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Utah County for 13 years.

But like a growing number of Americans, Critchfield was in a position that left him without health insurance and now the disaster of all disasters happened.

He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and faces a landslide of medical expenses.

"I hate to be in this position. You want to be able to help other people, not be helped," Critchfield said. "But it's come to that point. If people are in a position to help, that's great. I know that it's tough economic times for everyone. I don't want to take food off other people's table."

Critchfield hesitated at getting medical treatment. He didn't want to bankrupt his family, but his wife and family insisted that he put up a fight for his life and pursue medical help. Critchfield says has been able to keep up with his medical bills so far by exhausting his savings account, but now as hard as it has been to admit, he now needs help.

If you have ever made a visit to the doctor without an insurance card, imagine what it would be like to go through cancer treatments without insurance so his fellow officials have stepped up and are making a plea of support.

"It could have been you, it could have been me," said Clint Barnes, a friend and prep basketball official. "Basketball officials are like a fraternity. When this happens, we all need to step up and help fellow official. He's not only fellow official, he's great friend."

In an effort to help, Barnes and several other officials have planned a pair of fundraisers. The first fundraiser will be a dinner at Riverside Country Club on Aug. 12. Tickets are $75 per person or $100 per couple.

The second fundraiser will be a golf outing at Talons Cove on Aug. 26. The golf outing includes lunch and several contests that they are hoping to find sponsors who can chip in and help.

For those interested in sponsorship or in participating in either fundraiser, you can call Barnes at (687-8489) or Stevan Davis (836-5678). Officials Eric Calder and Cal Jones are also helping gain support for Critchfield, who is attacking the disease with faith.

"My wife and I were devastated (at the news)," Critchfield said. "The first two or three weeks, your life flashes before your eyes. You think to yourself that 'this could be it.' I'm hopeful I can beat this. I've done a lot of research in looking for ways that could help me."

Over the years, Critchfield, more often than not, has made the correct call. Hopefully the residents of Utah won't blow the call now.

• Neil Warner can be reached at nwarner@heraldextra.com