How can you describe the relationship between you and your favourite sports team? It's tough to describe, as it is so unrational to care that much for just a few professionals playing a sport you like. But that's what fans do, we care about our team and players. Maybe some of us way too much but it is what it is.
I, personally, haven't been witness of the dark times of the Pats. Many of you experienced those and still proudly said that's my team, because the love for your team is unconditional. Yes, they might suck for a while but god damnit it's still my team. So when the Patriots finally won the big one, I just can't imagine what some of you guys must've felt. Proudly saying the Patriots are the World Champions. The best team in the league and Robert Kraft had a big hand in that one, as he traded for BB from the Jets, eventually the best HC of all time.
The next years were like a fairy tale. A new dynasty was born, the New England Patriots Dynasty. Something that only a few franchises achieved and now the Patriots belonged to that elite circle. The former perennial loser turned into the model franchise. What a turn around! The 2 men ,who played the biggest part in it, are BB and Tom Brady. Not Robert Kraft, because let's face it, most owners are not that much involved into the daily sports business of a franchise.
Then the first "scandal" happened: Spygate. Every one's done it, but the Pats got caught. BB said he was guilty, even though we all know, that it simply wasn't that much of a big deal. He tapped signals from the wrong position, big deal. But as we all learned, the Patriots became the Cheatriots. That's when Mr. Kraft should've defended the man who made his franchise into the powerhouse it is right now. We all know he didn't as he is a businessman and simply wanted for things to run smoothly again. In many eyes the dynasty legacy was tainted, but he choose to not protect it.
Now we're in the present and this time, it's different. The league is going after Tom Brady. Tom Brady, who just became the 3rd QB to win 4 rings, in a performance for the ages. That's what it was. A drop the mic performance from the GOAT. The man who sacrificed one big pay day after another, so that the team could stay competitive has been officially branded a cheater by the league. The ultimate competitor, who worked his ass off every year he has been in the league, a man that earned everything he achieved, is now officially called a cheater by the NFL. On what grounds? On wrong science combined with a few text messages. The reputation he earned over a decade. Mr. Kraft believes him, but he doesn't fight for him. For the second the time he doesn't fight for a guy that sacrificed so much for his franchise.
Why? Because Mr. Kraft isn't a fan like us, he is just a businessman that's doing what's best for his business.
It's not like his legacy on the line. No, he made sure that he is all buddy with Goodell again and that neutral/31 other guys applaud him for his "dignified" way to handle the situation. If he had even a shred of fight in him he would've fought for the honor of his franchise. Sadly, you can't meassure honor in $ and that will be ultimately the reason why he went that way. I mean he was so freaking dignified he didn't even try to protect TB in his press conference.
See that's the difference to us fans. We care about our team and the players. It was BB and TB that made all of this possible not Mr. Kraft. He only had one job, to even try and fight for them as they did for you and for your franchise on the field. But he didn't. I will never forget what those did for us and I simply can't bear it that all their achievements are now tainted and he didn't even bother to fight the NFL ... AGAIN! Not even fighting for us paying fans! Everywhere we go we are now branded as fans of the Cheaters. Yeah, that's what everyone wants to hear in a off season where your team just won the freaking SB.
In the beginning I really thought Deflategate could be the end for Goodell, turns out it just showed me what a spineless coward Mr. Kraft is and hopefully begann the end of him as the owner of the New England Patriots. Neutrals, other fans might respect you now, but don't believe for one second that many fans still have the slightest bit of respect for you left.
