From the Rose Law Group Growlery
By Phil Riske | Managing Editor
Like many sports, football can be reduced to a game of inches.
Square inches in the case of the New England Patriots, its ball boys and star quarterback Tom Brady.
“Based on the evidence developed in connection with the investigation and summarized in this Report, we have concluded that it is more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the NFL Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate attempt to circumvent those rules” [by deflating footballs in the AFC playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts.]
Sports wags have been all over the opinion field in broadcast and print comments, and one survey showed 40 percent of respondents didn’t think the findings were correct.
Paraphrasing, the ambivalent pretty much think, Ah, hell, what’s the big deal; it’s just a game.
Yes, the NFL is a game — a multi-billion-dollar game, the overwhelming popularity of which is fed by Las Vegas bookmaking and millions of fans who whole lives it seems revolve around their favorite teams.
It also is a reflection of real life, wherein are cheaters ranging from give-em-an-inch-and-they’ll- take-a-mile fudgers to those who violate rules of moral conduct.
What does it say about an athlete who shortcuts the integrity of his or her sport? Is that as far as they’d go in their lives?
Yes, it’s only a game.
It’s the game of life.
Related: Bickley: ‘Deflategate’ debate shows how tolerant America has become of cheaters
