Mute the word on Twitter. Replace it with [redacted] when the subject comes up. Let’s get this ridiculous controversy out of our heads.
I’m sick of Deflategate, and I’m sure that’s not a unique feeling.
But it won’t go away.
The NFL recently announced it had upheld Tom Brady’s four-game suspension for his alleged role in tampering with the PSI of footballs during the AFC Championship Game.
Brady responded to the ruling via a Facebook post, proclaiming the innocence of himself and the organization. He said:
“I did nothing wrong, and no one in the Patriots organization did either.”
Brady continued later:
“Despite submitting to hours of testimony over the past 6 months, it is disappointing that the Commissioner upheld my suspension based upon a standard that it was ‘probable’ that I was ‘generally aware’ of misconduct.”
Maybe the NFL indeed messed up the investigation.
Perhaps the league wanted to remain steadfast in the original ruling because it was too prideful to admit a procedural mistake.
The NFL could have screwed up Deflategate procedurally and Tom Brady could be guilty.
Both things can be true. This is not complicated.— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) July 29, 2015
That wouldn’t be the first time an authority figure abused its power, and it won’t be the last.
The next step is Brady taking the case to federal court, but the longer this stupid controversy drags out, the dumber everyone looks.
Brady’s legacy is safe. Besides, after 12 AFC East titles, 10 Pro Bowls, six AFC championships, four Super Bowls and two MVPs, there’s no reason some PSI should affect Brady’s legacy. His reputation might be a little tarnished, but so are the gunslinger’s trio of Super Bowl MVPs. Brady will probably spend a part of his four-game suspension cleaning those up.
Goodell’s legacy is safe. The commissioner’s track record remains blemished, and it’s highly unlikely Goodell can ever change the negative perception that constantly surrounds him.
The only thing a federal court case will do is delay the inevitable. ESPN legal analyst Lester Munson says Brady will not succeed, and the suspension will simply be re-upheld.
Even without Brady for four games, New England will still make the playoffs. The Patriots started 2-2 last season but still won the division, then a Super Bowl. Through it all, a majority of NFL fans will still dislike Goodell.
I’m sick of [redacted]. I can only pray Brady and the Patriots are, too.
Photo: USA Today Sports