Dissecting Deflategate

My goodness, I didn't want to do this.  I usually don't write about stuff like this but my God, has this story taken the country by storm.  As if the NFL needs any more publicity and controversy heading into the biggest game of the year, yet, here we are.  In the middle of the dumbest sports story of my lifetime (1).

(1) To this point... I hope....I really hope.

This story isn't about the Evil Empire of the New England Patriots.  It isn't a story about how Jim Irsay is one of the biggest babies in sports (2). And crazy enough, it's not even about the irrational hatred for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

(2) Don't think for a second he didn't produce this report.  The Indianapolis Star started this circus and Irsay has been behind some of the biggest changes in the NFL today...conveniently after a playoff loss.

It's about cheating.

This is about how we as a country view everything in two different matters and only, two different matters.

Black or White

Good or Bad

Hero or Fraud

There is zero gray area in our society and Deflategate is a prime example of it.

Let's assume the Patriots did deflate the balls to 10.5 pounds purposely for the Colts game this past Sunday to avoid any future turn out on what the NFL or anyone else decides because no one can trust anything that comes out of Roger Goodell's mouth anymore.

With this assumption, let's ask a few questions and see if we can determine whether or not the Patriots cheated.  My answers will be in bold.

Could Deflategate have helped the Patriots performed better? Yes

Could Deflategate have given them a psychological advantage as well as a physical one? Most likely

Did the New England Patriots gain a distinct advantage over the Indianapolis Colts?  Maybe 

So let's ask the main question...

Did the New England Patriots cheat? Undetermined

What's the definition of cheating?  Acting dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game or examination

What is the rule stated by the NFL?  The NFL Football must be met to specifications of 12-1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds.  The footballs are measured two hours and fifteen minutes before kickoff by an NFL sanctioned referee.

So by the NFL rule and definition of cheating, did the New England Patriots cheat? Yes

When the story first came out, quarterbacks from all over the league weighed in on the issue.  It didn't matter if they were active or retired, yet their opinion was consistent.  Every quarterback tinkers with the pressure and feel of the footballs to their approval and comfort.

Aaron Rodgers states he likes them over-inflated.

Eli Manning gives them a special rub down with oils (3).

(3) Not a joke...At least this is linear with his uniquely shaped helmet for his uniquely shaped head.

Troy Aikman likes them under-inflated (4).

(4) This was legal when Aikman played.  The rule used to be that the home team supplied the footballs.  The NFL changed the rule so both teams supply their own footballs...to their preferable liking.

Brad Johnson paid equipment managers at the Super Bowl before they took on the Oakland Raiders $7500 to have them at a specific weight and feel.

These are all quarterbacks from all different skill levels and all have won Super Bowls.  So if all of these quarterbacks admitted to altering the pigskin to their comfort level to get a competitive advantage, does that constitute cheating?

By definition and the rule, yes.  Simple as that.  But what competitive advantage did that give each of them over the opposition?  They still have to make the throws.  Receivers still have to make the difficult catches.  And the running backs...how does this help them?  Did the under-inflated balls help LaGarette Blount's dead corpse score three touchdowns and run all over the Indianapolis defense?

I hope I don't have to answer that last question.

So back with the quarterbacks' preferable football pressure.  If everyone is altering the footballs illegally(6), isn't every QB cheating?  So if everyone is cheating, doesn't that mean it's a level playing field?  Continuing with that narrative, a level playing field, isn't the outcome of a competitive contest now decided by planning, execution, intelligence, and skill level.

(6) There is no way to prove or disprove whether the previously mentioned quarterbacks exceeded the limits for football pressure so for the sake of argument, I am assuming they broke the rules.  Also, a $7500 influence on the pigskin's weight and feel definitely makes you question things.

Now, bringing back the definition of cheating:

Acting dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game or examination

With everyone breaking the rules and creating a level playing field in the process, is that considered cheating? No

Now when everyone watched the Patriots thrash the Colts, didn't it become extremely evident that the game was decided by planning, execution, intelligence, and skill level?

That last question was rhetorical.

Now, if you want to stick with the black and white analysis of everything and anything, then yes, the Patriots cheated.  But if you want to consider everything that was discussed and use the eye test, it is completely evident that the Patriots did not cheat.  They were the best team in the AFC all year, the number one seed, and played their way to the Super Bowl...deservedly so.

And if anyone wants to question my bias...here you go.  I am a Jets fan and have a big bet on Seattle to win.  I still not have forgiven the New England Patriots for Spygate and it puts a smile on my face knowing that they have not won a Championship Ring since Spygate broke out.

Spygate was cheating.  Deflating footballs was not.

Thank you for reading!