PATRIOTS FIGHT BACK
An organization with a history of sketchy adherence to rules will now take on the organization that makes those rules and also has a thin connection with ethical behavior.
The New England Patriots, who had said they would abide by the NFL’s findings in the Wells report on DeflateGate, will not. They will fight for Tom Brady’s honor, which is, to paraphrase Groucho Marx, apparently more than he did.
The Patriots lured Bill Belichick away from the New York Jets – he quit as Jets head coach in 2000 after one day – and then had to give up draft picks to the Jets to secure him. They were petty when Eric Mangini left their employ to become the Jets’ head coach. And they were penalized by the league (Spygate) for impermissibly videotaping opponents’ signals on the sideline.
Owner Robert Kraft, a powerful voice in the league, no longer seems like he will be a dependable ally for Commissioner Roger Goodell. This relationship is starting to look like the one the Oakland Raiders and their owner, Al Davis, had with Pete Rozelle. And the Patriots are starting to look like the rogue Raiders.
The NFL’s “punishment … far exceeded any reasonable expectation. It was based completely on circumstantial rather than hard or conclusive evidence,” Kraft said in a statement, blasting a “one-sided investigation.” Brady will appeal and, Kraft said, “has our unconditional support.”
A case that started with underinflated football has moved to overheated rhetoric. A team with eight Super Bowl appearances and four titles (including the most recent) is now an ethical outlier. One of the game’s biggest starters has been deemed a cheater.
Perversely enough, this can only make the NFL more popular. Who doesn’t like a good soap opera?
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .
You’ve Got Mail AOL And It’s Worth Over $4 Billion!
American Idol Cancelled After Season 15
-
All-Rounder Stokes Aims for Recovery Ahead of Upcoming India Test Series England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced that...
-
NBA Star Penalized for Inappropriate Gesture During Victory Over Trail Blazers Philadelphia 76ers’ star center, Joel Embiid, has been...
-
Spanish Football Chief Faces Scrutiny Over World Cup Incident The Spanish government announced on Tuesday that it has submitted...
-
University of Houston Mourns the Loss of Former Basketball Star Reggie Chaney The University of Houston community is deeply...
-
Former President Donald Trump Leaves Republicans Speculating on His Debate Strategy Former President Donald Trump has definitively confirmed that...
-
As Neymar’s desire for a new chapter surfaces, the football world debates whether he will return to Barcelona’s embrace...
-
The football legend mesmerizes with a dazzling display and debuts a Wakanda Lionel Messi wowed fans once again with...
-
Andrew Wiggins Returns: Ready to Help Warriors Defend Championship Title! Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has returned to...
-
Scotland’s rugby team has been dealt a significant blow. Scotland’s rugby team has been dealt a significant blow with...
-
Diaz injured his knee while the Puerto Rican team was celebrating its victory. During Wednesday night’s game in the...
-
Number 16 has joined the legendary likes of Numbers 8 and 24. Despite retiring from the NBA in 2021,...
-
Tatum was slapped with his first career ejection after two technical fouls. Monday night was a rough one for...