Should an Asterisk Be Placed Next to the New England Patriots* If They Win the Super Bowl?
Timothy Sexton
December 29, 2007
Are you old enough to remember the first time the New England Patriots* cheated to win a football game? It was during a game with the Miami Dolphins back in the 80s. The Patriots were attempting a field goal when the groundskeeper rode onto the field to scoop away the snow in front of the placekicker. This is a team with a history of playing dirty; of doing everything possible to win. As they near the verge of becoming first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to finish a regular season undefeated, it is worth considering whether nor not an asterisk should be placed next to the Patriots* should they successfully finish the season undefeated.
That little groundskeeper who virtually assured that a missed field goal would become a sure thing was nothing compared to what Bill Belichick did earlier in the 2007. You do remember that, don’t you? How these same undefeated New England Patriots* illegally videotaped New York Jets practices. This came after the Patriots had earlier been warned against videotaping the Packers. The Jets was a big deal, however, because they got caught; there is simply no telling how many times they’d done it before. Belichick was fined and promptly acted as though he didn’t do anything wrong. It is too much to believe that Bill Belichick and the Patriots* have been cheating all year long? After all, you’ve got Belichick, who has such a history of playing dirty that he is referred to as Beli-Cheat, coaching the Patriots* who have a history of cheating.
Yeah, I think it’s pretty obvious that at least one or two games in this current undefeated streak of the Patriots* were quite likely won as the result of the team having information that they shouldn’t. After all, if Belichick acts as though what he did was no big deal, what is there in his personality to make anyone think he wouldn’t try again? The New England Patriots* are a great team; no doubt. But I’m convinced that there is a huge difference between the 1972 Miami Dolphins and the 2007 New England Patriots*. After all, it takes more than being merely a great team to go undefeated. Just ask the 1985 Bears or the 1984 49ers. Both those teams would probably beat the Pats* in a head-to-head matchup, not to mention the ’72 Dolphins. It takes a bit of luck and a bit of good fortune. And that is even hard to come by in a sixteen game season. Of course, when you make your own luck by cheating, it becomes easier.
Yes, there is no question that if the Patriots* remain undefeated through the Super Bowl, and when you cheat that possibility is increased, that they should have an asterisk attached to every mention of their team. I came across this particular statement from writer Ralph Marlbrough and I think it is quite fitting. Yes, unquestionably, this asterisk and statement should be attached to any future mention of an undefeated or even once-defeated Super Bowl champion Patriots*
In 2007, Coach Bill Belichick was found to have illegally video taped other teams to gain a competitive advantage. No one is sure how much this helped New England win their three Vince Lombardi trophies.
That little groundskeeper who virtually assured that a missed field goal would become a sure thing was nothing compared to what Bill Belichick did earlier in the 2007. You do remember that, don’t you? How these same undefeated New England Patriots* illegally videotaped New York Jets practices. This came after the Patriots had earlier been warned against videotaping the Packers. The Jets was a big deal, however, because they got caught; there is simply no telling how many times they’d done it before. Belichick was fined and promptly acted as though he didn’t do anything wrong. It is too much to believe that Bill Belichick and the Patriots* have been cheating all year long? After all, you’ve got Belichick, who has such a history of playing dirty that he is referred to as Beli-Cheat, coaching the Patriots* who have a history of cheating.
Yeah, I think it’s pretty obvious that at least one or two games in this current undefeated streak of the Patriots* were quite likely won as the result of the team having information that they shouldn’t. After all, if Belichick acts as though what he did was no big deal, what is there in his personality to make anyone think he wouldn’t try again? The New England Patriots* are a great team; no doubt. But I’m convinced that there is a huge difference between the 1972 Miami Dolphins and the 2007 New England Patriots*. After all, it takes more than being merely a great team to go undefeated. Just ask the 1985 Bears or the 1984 49ers. Both those teams would probably beat the Pats* in a head-to-head matchup, not to mention the ’72 Dolphins. It takes a bit of luck and a bit of good fortune. And that is even hard to come by in a sixteen game season. Of course, when you make your own luck by cheating, it becomes easier.
Yes, there is no question that if the Patriots* remain undefeated through the Super Bowl, and when you cheat that possibility is increased, that they should have an asterisk attached to every mention of their team. I came across this particular statement from writer Ralph Marlbrough and I think it is quite fitting. Yes, unquestionably, this asterisk and statement should be attached to any future mention of an undefeated or even once-defeated Super Bowl champion Patriots*
In 2007, Coach Bill Belichick was found to have illegally video taped other teams to gain a competitive advantage. No one is sure how much this helped New England win their three Vince Lombardi trophies.