Umpire ‘Razor’ Ray Chamberlain cops a stray footy during North Melbourne v Richmond

AFL umpiring is a tough gig and it was made even tougher for ‘Razor’ Ray Chamberlain when a stray footy torpedoed him into mid-air when it struck him in the groin region. Watch the video

'Razor Ray' Chamberlain was torpedoed into mid-air when he copped a stray footy. Picture: Channel 7

Being an AFL umpire is a tough gig. Our game is unique, with many different rules and interpretations.

But on Friday night at Marvel Stadium, umpire ‘Razor’ Ray Chamberlain discovered just how much tougher umpiring can get when he copped a stray footy to the groin region.

Chamberlain was scouting the play near the boundary line inside North Melbourne’s forward 50 when the footy came firing in towards him.

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Tiger Dylan Grimes kicked the ball out of mid air and didn’t strike it sweetly as it came off the side of the boot and straight into Chamberlain’s path.

The ball was travelling at such speed the umpire didn’t have a chance to get out of the way before it struck him, torpedoing him into the air before he came crashing down into the turf.

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'Razor Ray' Chamberlain was torpedoed into mid-air when he copped a stray footy. Picture: Channel 7

“Razor has copped one, well let’s just say it, right in the cods,” Brian Taylor said on Channel 7.

Luckily, Chamberlain wasn’t hurt and bounced straight back to his feet to officiate the play unfolding in front of him before gesturing to the crowd that all was well.

“I got checked out by the paramedics just to make sure everything was all right,” Chamberlain told Channel 7 after the game.

“I want to refute this idea that the players’ foot skills have dropped off because that’s not an easy target.

“I had nowhere to go.”

Razor Ray tonight 😂😂 #AFLNorthTigers pic.twitter.com/N4xd6YbXfn

— Nicki 🖤🐿🌟 (@thedustyanchor) May 31, 2019

Ouch that's gotta hurt. Ray chamberlain copping the footy in his nuts.

— Suzanne Olsen (@carnthenmfc) May 31, 2019

Ray Chamberlain doing his best Hans Moleman impersonation right there. #AFLNorthTigers

— Brian Barrish (@BarrishUSAFL) May 31, 2019