New England Patriots coach bill belichick has cheated before. And, while I can\’t prove it in a court of law, it appears clear that he has cheated again.
See, an underinflated football is easier to grip than a fully inflated on. And that is of great benefit in a game played in rainy weather – like, for example, the League Championship game between belichick\’s Patriot team and the Indianapolis Colts.
Excerpted from Ben Volin\’s article in the Boston Globe:
Accordingto a National Football League letter about the investigation into thecontroversy that was shared with the Globe, the Patriots wereinformed that the league\’s initial findings indicated that the gameballs did not meet specifications. The league inspected each of thePatriots\’ 12 game balls twice at halftime, using different pressuregauges, and found footballs that were not properly inflated.
Accordingto ESPN, 11 of the 12 game balls were found to be underinflated byabout 2 pounds each. The NFL specifications say they must be inflatedto 12 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds.
Ifthe Patriots are found to have deliberately doctored footballs, theorganization can be fined a minimum of $25,000, and if the NFL findsthe incident egregious, the Patriots could potentially lose a draftpick. In 2007, commissioner Roger Goodell took away a first-rounddraft pick and fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick after determiningthe team had spied on an opponent.
If you want my opinion (and you must, otherwise why are you reading this blog?), I don\’t care how much New England won by, and whether a case could be made that they would have won anyway: this is an absolute disgrace, which taints the Super Bowl. And the penalty is way, way too lenient.
If it can be shown that belichick had anything to do with this (which, common sense tells me, is a near-100% likelihood) – and taking into account that it would not be the first time he has cheated – belichick should be suspended from football; maybe even banned.
Regardless, if the New England Patriot ownership has any honor and any class, belichick should be summarily fired.
If, on the other hand, the ownership has neither, that won\’t happen.
Which is it, New England?
