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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFive reasons why the NFL got the deflate-gate punishment dead wrong
he NFL made a circus out of deflate-gate, and it made sure in the end it got the reaction it wanted from the general public.
That's the only way to figure the miscues the NFL made with its unprecedented and overdone punishments for the New England Patriots in deflating footballs (an issue, as we'll see, the league never cared about before).
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The NFL screwed up this punishment, going for the standing ovation from a mostly Patriots-hating public (all good teams are hated, and the Patriots surely rub people the wrong way) instead of doing what was right.
Here are five reasons the NFL got the punishment so, so wrong:
The NFL did not care much about football tampering, until it fit its agenda
How do I know the NFL didn't care about ball tampering before? Well, there are two cases in which it did practically nothing, seeing them as the misdemeanors they were. Many people have brought these situations up in previous days, including ESPN.com's Mike Reiss. They are perfect examples of the NFL's hypocrisy when it came to the Patriots.
Last season, the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings were caught, on a cold day, using sideline heaters to warm up footballs. That's against the rules. You can argue that it's not the same level as deflating footballs in a bathroom, but it has the same effect: something outside of the rules to make the football easier to grip and catch. The Panthers and Vikings were ... warned. That's it.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/five-reasons-why-the-nfl-got-the-deflate-gate-punishment-dead-wrong-233900364.html
My final post on this until the mediator with a brain throws out all the unwarranted penalties...my suggestion, take off your blinders, put away the hate, and read this great article and see this non-issue for the farce it is. What truly bothers me about the reaction is that lies and distortions can be so easily believe by a gullible public because they want to believe it...mob justice at its finest. Doesn't say much for human nature.
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El Supremo
(20,365 posts)
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And it is the second time the Patriots were caught. Just ANOTHER coincidence?
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)which gauge was used prior to the game, one that gave higher reading, one that gave a lower, Wells just guessed and chose the one that had discrepacnies...you really don't want to hear facts so I'll just suggest you goggle information about this that was apparently hidden in the Wells report so people who only read headlines would agree with it.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Plus this story deflects a little attention from the spouse beating problem.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Like they did until Manning AND BRADY lobbied to change the rules in 2006.
But no, Tom doesn't care about the balls, he doesn't even think about it.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)He has been quoted as saying that he prefers that his balls be a little deflated. The star does not have to tell the equipment manager what to do. Better for plausible deniability.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Because he might wear golden shoes, and might not talk to the media.
I'm sure you were appropriately outraged then.
Spare me the "HATERZ" bullshit.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)And since you didn't bother reading the article and just decided to prove my point, ignore.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Patriots took in how much from the DoD again 
Cowboys better give back the 62K they got
HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)Is that the Patriots have a track record of cheating: Spygate for example. Penalties for repeat offenses are always going to be stiffer. Not to mention Brady refusing to turn over ph and text records, and other obstructions to the investigation by the Pats. And the least was Krafts belligerent denial. IMO, the Pats and Brady got off lightly. Some talking heads were predicting Brady would get an indefinite suspension until he turned over his ph records.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)And since there is no record of the psi's prior to the game or no verification of which gauge was used, one that registered higher or lower, Wells could have used the other gauge and the results ALL would have been in the correct range, he assumed the one showing the wrong psi's was the one used...see footnote on page 116...but you really don't want facts, do you...you want to agree with this smear campaign, which is what Gooddell, wells, and their goons want.
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)The balls are checked minutes before each game, then marked by officials if they are at the correct pressure. All of the balls were checked pre game, All were marked, and all were within the legal tolerance.
Also, Brady refused to cooperate with investigation which is another violation of league rules.
The league doesn't tolerate cheating, as the Patriots were already aware of. End of story.
Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)is half of the DU population.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)I don't see how some punishments are so small for physical abuse but this punishment was over the top. Hopefully they will end up with nothing at the end of the day.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)Over football. What a man
Guys try this simple experiment, ask your wife, girlfriend, partner, mom , dad or significant other:
What do you think of a guy like Brady...a godzillionaire....who cheats, and then lies about it? Over football. What a man
Even the ball boys could stand him by the sound of things
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Because if you don't, you're just jealous.
I live around Boston sports fans. All day, every day. If any other team was doing this, they'd be complaining the most.
Or maybe not, if the Patriots didn't have the record they have had since 2002. Because most New Englanders didn't give a flying fucking fig about them until they started winning. They were ready to split town at one point and most of these so called diehards ripped a collective fart with how much they cared.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)The original poster has put over a dozen people on "ignore" over a football team... Sadly it shows what his priorities are.
rufus dog
(8,419 posts)Because he is acting like an entitled fucking douchebag.
I know,......... IGNORE
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)
DanTex
(20,709 posts)It took the cycling authorities long enough, but finally Armstrong lost his titles. Maybe it will take a third incident before the Patriots face any serious consequences for their cheating.
dsc
(52,161 posts)On the sports page of my local paper is a story about a local high school baseball team having to forfeit a game they won. Here is what happened. My state has a rule that no school can play 4 varsity games in a week unless one of the games is a double header and one of the other games is on a day with no school. So this team asked if their JV team could play at one of the four schools they had to play that week. They didn't specify that the JV would be playing the other school's varsity team and the association said go ahead and play. So they did. Then the association found out the JV team played a varsity team and made them forfeit not the game they asked about but the fourth game they played that week. Yet a team that purposely cheated, covered it up, gets to keep their win. Just what would you say to those kids who gave up their senior night victory, and get to see the team they beat get a higher seed in the playoffs than they did due to that forfeit?
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)report that really, upon closer examination show that there were no tampering, and quite frankly, I'm tired of reminding people that the "conclusions" in the report don't match the circumstances...sorry, but you're as bad as the rest...ignore.
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Ignoring someone not even talking about the Patriots!!!!
IGNORE!!!!
Dorian Gray
(13,493 posts)You're going to come to DU and see a blank page with all your IGNORE!!!!!!!!!!s
Holy overreact.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)rufus dog
(8,419 posts)I am waiting for double secret ignore.
Whiskeytide
(4,461 posts)... Does that mean I can't see his posts as well? They ARE pretty entertaining.
rufus dog
(8,419 posts)And good answer regarding Ben below.
There are a lot of entitled athletes who can embarrass your team. (Generic "your"
I went to Arizona State, shortly after my graduation Steve Kerr was taunted by ASU frat pricks at a game. Kerr's dad was killed in the Beruit terrosts attacks, and I believe his mom was injured. The pricks taunts were along the lines of "where's your daddy?"
The pricks were tossed from the game, but the Athletic Director, who was sitting by them did very little.
Some things you just can't defend and you need to seperate the sport from the action.
Whiskeytide
(4,461 posts)... the culmination of a history of cheating by the Pats. Everyone may do some cheating, but the Pats do it consistently and flagrantly, and it's long overdue.
The ball control numbers speak for themselves. The Pats have been tampering with balls since 2007. Turnover ratio is the best indicator of who wins a game, after the actual score. Deflated balls equal fewer turnovers. I would estimate their cheating probably netted them 2 wins a season. It tarnishes this so-called dynasty beyond repair, at least in my eyes.
I'm a Steelers fan. I loathe the Pats. But until now my hatred was always the respectful kind based on the fact that they have punched my team from the playoffs quite a few times. Now, I have nothing but contempt for them, and it's the kind of contempt that is pity based. They are despicable.
You should continue to love your team. But you should consider putting an end to your efforts to defend them. They didn't show their fans or the league much respect. Thus, they deserve little themselves.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Spygate is all you got...your post is a prime example of simply hating and providing no facts which I pointed out...I'd like to thank you for proving my point, and now you're on ignore.
Oh, one more thing, those 3 women that accused Rothlisberger or rape...how did that turn out for you? Oh yeah, they did nothing abut it and the Pittsburgh fans gave him a standing ovation when this came out, just like the Ravens did for Ray Rice.
Whiskeytide
(4,461 posts)... Since you asked: 1. My post was an opinion. The facts are out there and known to everyone. 2. If you keep putting the posters who think the pats are a sullied organization on ignore, DU is really going to look odd on your screen. And 3. I was embarrassed by Rothlisberger's actions, and I saw the wisdom of NOT trying to defend him out of some blind allegiance to an unrealistic ideal.
You're a loyal Pats fan. That's good. They're going to need a lot of guys like you.
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)And the patriots are cheaters
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)I kid.
Wounded Bear
(58,654 posts) FSogol
(45,484 posts)
redstateblues
(10,565 posts)He's a liar and a cheater.
Gothmog
(145,231 posts)Brady refused to turn over e-mails and text messages/phone records to the NFL. Refusal to cooperate fully is more that sufficient grounds for a suspension
ProfessorGAC
(65,035 posts)Under what authority would the NFL be able to compel someone to give up their private IT files?
He cooperated with questioning. He said no, his emails are none of their business. He happens to be correct about that.
This was NOT a criminal investigation under the auspices of a sanctioned investigative body like the cops or the FBI.
He had every right to say no.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)And the National Football league had "every right" to impose sanctions on Tom Brady and the franchise he is employed by for impeding their investigation.
Gothmog
(145,231 posts)The NFL can require someone to cooperate with an investigation and the failure to cooperate can be grounds for taking action.
This is a civil action and the correct burden of proof was applied. If Brady wanted to avoid this punishment, he should have cooperated with the investigation.
Failure to turn over e-mails and text messages in civil court is grounds for a presumption that such e-mails and messages are damaging to Brady's case. This concept is similar to spoliation
ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)He could have held the phone. He refused.
I know you're gonna say it doesn't matter, he still doesn't have to do it. That's ok. We all know Shady Brady is covering shit up, and it's not any Gisele bikini pics.
GummyBearz
(2,931 posts)Belicheat didn't get fined a nickle... oh well, no more spy cams, no more eligible/ineligible receiver check ins right before snap, no more deflating footballs...
soon enough this team will be back in the D-league where they belong. Welcome to my ignore
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Home of murderers and wife beaters...yeah, ineligble receivers...the NFL ruled that was legal..Harbaugh has trouble reading...enjoy cheering on your worthless group of illiterates.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,316 posts)Here were the results which have allowed you to keep posting; I really think you should take a step back.
Um, this sin't evidence...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6630991
REASON FOR ALERT
This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.
ALERTER'S COMMENTS
Telling another poster he's "too stupid to deal with". This is a hurtful and rude personal attack which has no place on DU. Let's keep it civil.
You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Wed May 6, 2015, 09:58 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.
Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Tricky - they've had 3 hides in this thread already. joeybee12's world is clearly collapsing about him as it becomes clear his team cheats habitually, and he's lashed out at everyone. I might have hidden this, because it is rude, but 3 hides is probably enough for the thread. Remember this, joey. Be nicer next time.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It's football. No rules in arguing football...this is mild. This probably should have been in the sports group.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)Once a cheater, always a cheater. And I knew better.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)mob mentality rules here...nothing should surprise me...ignore.
DanTex
(20,709 posts)utterly obvious he was cheating. I guess it makes sense that loyalty to an NFL team would be stronger than loyalty to a bike rider.
The problem with the punishment is that it was a slap on the wrist. Like Armstrong, the Patriots should lose their Super Bowl title, which was won by cheating. At least the NFL's actions acknowledge that the Pats were cheating, that it was serious, and this means that their titles will always have an asterisk next to them.
It was obvious from the investigation that deflating the balls wasn't a one-time thing. And, given spygate, the Pats have now been caught cheating in more than one way. Emphasis on "been caught." One difficulty with sports investigations is that, unlike legal ones, they don't have the power to subpoena, to put people under oath, etc. So it's a lot harder to catch and prove allegations. I mean, Brady didn't even have to turn over his texts.
Armstrong probably wouldn't have been caught until the Feds got involved, putting people in front of a grand jury. But the Pats, even with the weak investigative capacity and the tendency of the NFL to look the other way to protect their brand and avoid controversy, have now been caught cheating in two different ways. One can only imagine what a proper investigation would uncover.
But one doesn't need to. They cheated to win, that much is already clear.
trumad
(41,692 posts)
Coventina
(27,120 posts)Once could be chalked up to blind loyalty to a team.
Twice is starting to look like a pattern of defending sociopathic behavior....
trumad
(41,692 posts)Coventina
(27,120 posts)"my guy, right or wrong" is a misguided notion of loyalty, which is usually a positive trait.
DanTex
(20,709 posts)MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)Even though you won't see this post because you ignore people over football.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)
Sheldon Cooper
(3,724 posts)Go ahead and put me on ignore, but I'm going to keep following you because your cognitive dissonance + extreme use of ignore is the funniest thing I've seen here for quite some time.
Ignore on, my good man! 
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)http://www.units.miamioh.edu/psybersite/fans/bc.shtml
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)
TBF
(32,060 posts)which is what Goodall is doing here while he lets all other thugs off the hook ... beat your wives and kids? There's proof? There's video & bruises? That's ok, take a few weeks off and come on back to the NFL.
He's a joke. I hope Brady files a lawsuit against him.
Interesting to watch on this board as people pile on with their judgment. Does anyone remember "innocent until proven guilty"? Not on this website apparently.
Sheldon Cooper
(3,724 posts)until proven guilty. Until then, the rest of us will pile on as much as we like, and there's diddly squat you can do about it. Unless you want to be like the OP and put us all on ignore!
onenote
(42,702 posts)50.0000001 probability that he was aware --- all it takes. And the circumstantial evidence, without any rebuttal evidence from Brady, made it a pretty easy call.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,710 posts)"More probable than not " is a legal term and it the standard of proof that used in civil courts to render judgements, ergo:
The standard is met if the proposition is more likely to be true than not true. Effectively, the standard is satisfied if there is greater than 50 percent chance that the proposition is true. Lord Denning, in Miller v. Minister of Pensions, described it simply as "more probable than not."
"More probable than not" is the standard of proof the National Football League has used to impose sanctions for the past eight years.
"Innocent until proven guilty" is not applicable here as he and the Patriots have been found liable.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)The NFL and its teams are private organizations. Brady isn't going to jail, and there are no criminal repercussions at all.
Goodell has wide latitude to punish players for whatever the league wants. This was specifically allowed under the collective bargaining agreement with the NFLPA.
If nobody likes Goodell or his actions, just blame the players for giving him his power.
TBF
(32,060 posts)but at least your post makes sense. If this is something the union agreed with then I guess he won't have recourse. Thanks for the explanation.
giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)he could give a shit less about the suspension Tom Brady has received over this simply because he understands how the politics of corporate sports is handled. He is going to college to major in business sports management so he might have a tighter grasp on corporate business practices then you do even though he hasn't quite reached adulthood.
What I don't understand is why you would come to a discussion board, post your OP then put everyone that disagrees with you on ignore? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of participating in a discussion board in the first place?
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Maybe I have a greater grasp on the nature of the media today, which is driving this. No one is interested in discussing this at all, and I'm not interested in those people.
ScreamingMeemie
(68,918 posts)I've been discussing it, level headedly. I'll put it out there: I can't stand the Patriots because I don't care for their fans. But this? This is a ridiculous pumping up of false concern born out of the same type of hatred, and I think it's bullshit.
No, joeybee12 (and feel free to put me on ignore), I don't like your team, and I don't like a good 50% of your team's fans, but this 4 game suspension is Roger Goodell on the "steroids" of calling all the shots. He needs to go.
giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)I'm a a huge Yadier Molina fan & I don't fly off the rails every time he gets ejected or suspended. You need to roll with the punches & accept that is all the punishment they got, it really is quite minor considering the allegations.
nil desperandum
(654 posts)game"
Is there something I'm missing about the NFL? Integrity? In the NFL?
I've not seen integrity in the NFL for the entirety of my adult life and I've been out of the military longer than the average NFL player has been alive...
Next thing you know someone will be trying to explain the integrity of the NCAA of FIFA for heaven's sake...
Pro Sports, huge money, and integrity don't mix. The sad part is how many fanbois and girls don't care as long as they get to enjoy their drunken spectacle each week...
The NFL's integrity was buried long ago, pick a scandal and see what's happened. I think perhaps the NFL has a different view of family friendly entertainment than many of us. The NFL ceased being about game time integrity when it was realized that merchandise and product branding were the paths to financial success in the NFL. Now all the non-athletic couch potatoes can wear a jersey and pretend they are somehow involved as more than a revenue stream for the millionaires who play for billionaires.
They could suspend the entire season for every team and it would have zero effect on my Sunday afternoons this fall. The NFL is another corporate abomination that we could do without.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)And for all the shit they dish out, it's time for Boston sports fan to chew on it for awhile...
Dwayne Hicks
(637 posts)Im a Jet fan so seeing Pats fan raging makes my day.
underpants
(182,802 posts)The whole thing is BS and the NFL is like some rich boy running Daddy's empire, badly.
Sheldon Cooper
(3,724 posts)
Chisox08
(1,898 posts)It was more about Brady's refusal to fully cooperate with league officials and the grandstanding by the Patriots management. I doubt Brady would have gotten anything heaver than a fine if he would have handed over what the league wanted.