Tampering, or alleged tampering with footballs did not start with Deflategate, however, the topic has received more scrutiny than any other rule infraction since 2007’s Spygate. What do both incidents have in common? Namely, the NFL’s current premier franchise and defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Can we say “league jealousy?”
The NFL is an ultra-competitive league. Incidents of teams and players attempting to obtain a competitive advantage have occurred many times over. Current NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell (who just so happened to be formerly employed by the New York Jets) believes Deflategate damages the NFL’s integrity. He stated as much to a reporter from The Repository of Canton, Ohio.
“The integrity of the game is the most important thing,” Goodell said. “The integrity of the game is something we will always protect. The rules apply to everybody.”
That is a good plan in theory, but is it really the case?
During a game against the Carolina Panthers last November, the Minnesota Vikings were caught on camera heating footballs with a sideline heater. This was probably very helpful to the Vikings quarterback due to temperatures being reported as 12 degrees with a wind chill factor of minus 7 at times! The NFL viewed it as clearly illegal, yet no punishment followed. All 32 teams were simply warned not to heat the footballs. Where was concern for league integrity?
In the days following the AFC championship game, Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, admitted he over inflates his footballs. This received some headlines, but soon became a footnote in Deflategate. He said most quarterbacks probably prefer footballs with less air and that he disapproves of the maximum air pressure requirement.
“Every game they’re taking air out of the footballs I’m throwing, and I think that’s a disadvantage for the way that I like them prepped,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers publicly said he breaks the rules by adding more air to his footballs than is allowed, yet there have been no other reactions from the NFL. Where is concern for league integrity?
Roger Goodell cannot rightly issue selective punishment and still claim he is protecting the NFL’s integrity. His current administration of justice looks more like a personal vendetta than a quest for integrity.
