We live in a world where everyone hates the Patriots.
Although Patriots fans would argue that this “unwarranted” contempt derives from their extraordinary capabilities, the majority of America would say that it is because of their cheating and lying head coach and quarterback. This infamous reputation could probably be credited to any number of reasons: 2004, when the Patriots were accused of stealing other teams’ signals; 2007’s Spygate controversy when they were found guilty of videotaping practices; this very season’s earlier controversy, when New England used illegal plays and formations.
So now, in January 2015, when Coach Beli-cheat is confronted with the accusation that he cheated in the AFC championship by deflating 11 out of 12 footballs, he expects us to roll over and accept the answer that he had “no knowledge whatsoever of this situation.”
The lying, cheating quarterback isn’t any better.
How does Tom Brady think he can convince us he was unaware of the fact that the ball was under-inflated by 2 pounds per square inch?
You are a quarterback; you’ve been playing professional football for 13 years, and your argument is that you had no idea? Please.
This is simply a byproduct of a weak and ineffective NFL commissioner. I hardly expect Roger Goodell to impose any form of legitimate punishment on Tom Brady, the NFL’s Golden Boy.
The question of the matter is why is New England confident enough to cheat multiple times?
Maybe their punishment for their wrongdoing never reflects the intensity of their crimes.
When Sean Payton, Gregg Williams and the Saints were found guilty in the 2010 Bountygate, Goodell probably responded with the most acute sanctions imaginable. Williams was suspended indefinitely; Payton was suspended for a year. The team itself was fined $500,000 and lost its first round draft picks.
When New England was caught in the Spygate scandal, Coach Beli-cheat was also fined $500,000. The team was subsequently fined $250,000 and lost first round draft picks.
Although deflating a football is not on par with being paid to purposefully injure a player, the crime, in this case, should match the punishment.
Because despite the fines, the Patriots are the ones who still feel comfortable cheating. They are not frightened by having their dishonest coach or QB suspended because they are the Patriots.
The issue is greater than the Patriots simply deflating the ball.
The National Football League has become an organization where morality only matters if it is backed by a large financial component. The NFL will kick someone out for spanking their kid, yet turn a blind eye to the individuals tainting the sport of football.
So, it’s 2015 and people still hate the Patriots and their biggest fan, Roger Goodell, because for some reason, the Golden Boy and his team are still above the law.
Rachel Granger is a junior international studies major from Pearl, Mississippi.
