Note: With the filing of the consultant’s report to the NFL–that the Patriots likely deflated footballs intentionally in a NFL playoff game–our fans speak out.
Written by Cole Baratte, Los Angeles
Follow Cole at his website.
Reporters are always looking for the next scandal. During the days before the Super Bowl, readers and viewers are typically presented with storylines that go into the personal journeys of the players. The best one in my opinion was on Vernon Davis and Mike Singletary back in 2013.
Like any good journalist, they look for the eye-catching, the inspirational, the tragic, and the emotional. But they are still journalists, and they want to report on the controversies and scandals that attract attention.
Courtesy: www.latintimes.com
This is why “DeflateGate”—an accusation that the New England Patriots deliberately deflated their footballs in the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts to gain unfair advantage—is such a big deal in the sports world. Ever since the infamous Watergate Scandal of the Richard Nixon Era, reporters love to put an eye-drawing, motion picturesque, easy to remember, title to any scandal with the suffix “-gate.” This practice has become immensely popular in sports over the years, especially in football.
Let’s review the record.
Ponygate: This refers to the investigation of the SMU Football program–then a powerhouse–in the late 1980s. About $61,000 in illegal cash payments were made to players and recruits with full knowledge of school officials. It resulted in the football program receiving the harshest punishment from the NCAA to date—the “Death Penalty”—where the entire football program was shut down for two seasons. SMU Football has taken decades to really recover.
Spygate: This incident refers to 2007 allegations that the New England Patriots videotaped the defensive signals of the New York Jets. The purpose was to predict formations during a regular-season game. Guilt resulted in the loss of a 1st Round draft pick (2008 NFL Draft), a $250,000 fine for the Patriots, and a $500,000 fine for Head Coach Bill Belichick. It was the maximum amount allowed, and largest fine for a coach, in league history.
Courtesy: cbssports.com
Tattoogate: In 2010-2011 it was uncovered that Ohio State football players had received improper benefits. Tattoos were exchanged for autographs and championship rings. The punishment included OSU vacating football victories in the 2010 season. Players were suspended, too, including starting quarterback and then-NFL prospect, Terrelle Pryor. As a result of his own suspension, and similar rule violations, Head Coach Jim Tressel—one of the most successful NCAA football coaches of all time—resigned in May 2011.
Bountygate: This one was about the 2012 investigation of a “bounty scheme” operated by New Orleans Saints DC, Gregg Williams. He allegedly offered payments to defensive players for making “big plays” and, in some cases, encouraging players to deliberately target and injure specific offensive players. In response, the NFL issued an indefinite suspension for Williams, a season-long suspension for Head Coach Sean Payton, and imposed multiple suspensions for multiple Saints defensive players.
Courtesy: tvimpactsonamerica.weebly.com
Watergate: This scandal is named for the hotel and office building that served as the Democratic National Committee Headquarters during the 1972 Presidential Election. “Burglars” were linked to Republican President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign. They were arrested in June 1972. They attempted to wiretap phones and collect campaign information from the Democratic Party. A massive investigation ensued, and in 1974, audio recordings of President Nixon revealed his involvement in an attempted cover-up. Nixon resigned office that August. It was theorized that the break-in was needed to ensure Nixon’s 1972 re-election. But Nixon won going way: it was the second largest landslide in American presidential election history: Nixon won 49 of 50 states, including the Democrat’s candidate—George McGovern—home state of South Dakota, and he received a whopping 520 Electoral College votes (270 needed to win) with 60% of the popular vote.
Deflategate: Reports revealed that 11 of 12 New England game balls were underinflated before kickoff. The situation was brought to the attention of the Indianapolis Colts following a 2nd Quarter interception by Colts’ linebacker, D’Qwell Jackson. For the duration of the 2nd Half properly inflated balls were used. At Halftime—with deflated balls—the score was 17-7 NE. In the 2nd Half—with properly inflated balls—the Pats outscored the Colts, 28-0. In the 2nd Half NE QB Tom Brady threw for a higher completion rate, more touchdowns, and more passing yards. The air pressure of the footballs didn’t matter.
The best responses—from the Colts—came via Twitter.
Cornerback Darius Butler: “So we get to play the game again or nah?”
Tight End Dwayne Allen: “Not a story. They could have played with soap for balls and beat us. Simply the better team. We have to continue to build!”
Punter Pat McAfee has to put his valuable two cents in: “If New England was to be DQ’d. We’d be their replacements right??… I should probably lay off these strawberry margs”
Caption philly.com
The New England Patriots will most likely get some type of punishment similar to their Spygate scandal, namely, lost draft picks and/or fines. The punishment will not come close to the Death Penalty of Ponygate, the suspension of players in Bountygate, or resignations that came with Tattoogate and Watergate.
However, it’s a guarantee that the legacies of Coach Bill Belichick (especially since Spygate is also on his record) and Tom Brady will be damaged.
And, in the end–just like Watergate–it was all for nothing.
