I have a child

[MannyGoldstein]

(A terrifying thought in so many ways.)

If the Patriots cheated as wildly as they seem to have, I hope that the penalty demonstrates to our child - and to all others - that doing the right thing, not the expedient thing, is what our society values most. Because that's how great societies flourish.

I'm not super hopeful. But I hope.

[Terra Alta]

1. If it is proven that they cheated

then they should forfeit their AFC Championship win and it should be Colts vs. Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen, though.

[Drahthaardogs]

10. It's pretty much a given. Read Chris Mortensen's report

The timeline goes like this:

1) Referees weigh balls 2.5 hours before kickoff - all good

2) Halftime, referees weigh balls - note underinflated, so they RE-INFLATE THEM

3) End of game, balls re-checked - this time ALL are AGAIN underinflated

4) Colts balls showed no such irregularities.


Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will be like Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa, there will be an * after their names. Too bad really. They are a great team and a brilliant coach. This is just stupid.

[malaise]

2. Don't hold your breath

The owner is Roger's dear friend.

[KMOD]

4. Are you a Pats fan, Manny?

[MannyGoldstein]

11. Yes, as a Bostonian

But not a big pro football fan.

[KMOD]

13. Wow! I'm am very impressed.

I'm not used to such humility from a Pats fan.

As a Jets fan {insert smiley with bag over head}, I freely admit that I hate your team.

That said, even I have to admit that Tom Brady is one of the best QBs to ever play the game. I'm sure the deflated football gave them a very slight advantage in the game, but it certainly was not the reason they won. What boggles my mind is why they would do that? The Pats didn't have to deflate the game balls to win the game. Now, it unfortunately puts a tarnish on their history, and Brady's history. I just don't get it.

Hopefully your child is young, and will have a chance to see future Pats teams achieve greatness without controversy. My oldest are 24 years old, and I think they hate that I raised them as Jets fans, for what its worth.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. You would have to go all the way back in time and replay a great many things.

I LOVE the Packers. I adore them with my every fiber. I was so angry on Sunday that I wanted to jump, fully clothed, into my pool out back and spend the rest of the evening screaming. I shut down facebook instead. LOL

That said, Aaron Rodgers himself a few weeks ago said he tries to get by with overinflating the balls because he likes them that way. HE SAID THIS IN AN INTERVIEW ON NATIONAL TELEVISION.

Now, I can't stand the Patriots (much of it having to do with their obnoxious base of fair weather fans), but this is a case of not liking a team (this groundswell) and wanting them to forfeit. I'm not saying on your part. I'm saying that the media attention this has gotten is fooking ridiculous.

[whatchamacallit]

6. Dunno if it's true, but my kid told me

Aaron Rodgers has a big grip and likes the balls overinflated for advantage.

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. See the post right above yours.

It's true, and I'm a huge Packer fan.

[whatchamacallit]

16. Oh, oops

Well there it is.

[bigwillq]

7. Nothing can be done now.

And I don't think anything should be done right now.

I don't think it affected the outcome of that game.

They should address the issue in the off season and make any changes for next season.

[aikoaiko]

8. If you're not cheating, you're not trying.

At the top-level of competitive sports, player must push the rules to the max (sometimes breaking them) and destroy the human body.

[benz380]

9. I'm more concerned there's a little Manny running around than anything else! nt

[Mariana]

12. Professional sports do not represent "our society".

They are mega-businesses and every decision is made so as to increase profits. If they can make more money by cheating, then they will cheat, and will permit cheating.

[progressoid]

14. That sounds like a pretty good definition of America today.

Mega-businesses where every decision is made so as to increase profits. If they can make more money by cheating, then they will cheat, and will permit cheating.

[AwakeAtLast]

18. AND pay no taxes due to their "non-profit" status

The NFL is considered "non-profit". Incredible!

[hatrack]

17. Looking for positive, uplifting moral lessons in contemporary American pro sports?

"Look elsewhere" would be my advice.