What bothers me the most? Is that 'we' are in a no win situation. 'Spygate' is something that never ended even years after the transgression. Most people (I would venture to say 99%) have no idea what the rules were and why the Patriots were punished. All they know is that the Patriots 'cheated' and they were punished for it. It was clear to me that Kraft probably instructed Beilichik and company to never mention it again, to lay down and take it up the '***' for the good of the game and never fight it. For years I would hear 18-1 haha, cheater never win, etc. No use trying to even argue with ignorant people.
After the story broke the day after the championship game, I was shocked, then disappointed. I suspected that there was no transgression, but the media would not let it go. At that point I realized that the media has successfully removed any happiness that I would get even if the Pats win the superbowl. It would be 'tainted' even if they won. The week of the super bowl, after they arrived here in AZ, when Kraft made his speech, I was pumped, I felt there was no doubt they would be vindicated. I truly believed that the Well's report would do a thorough investigation and point out all the inaccuracies in ball measurements, from the frequent squeeze method, to inaccurate gauges, to massive variances due to weather. I was also expecting them the 'scold' the NFL in allowing a 'sting' operation to proceed in a conference championship game and allowing even the possibility of deflated balls to be even a subject of controversy.
Instead, I read a report that is so subjective, and conclusions are so biased that it is obvious (to me) that their clearly was an underlying agenda.
So now, we are in a no win situation again. I strongly suspect that Brady will serve no suspension, but forever his legacy is 'tarnished' in the view of most of the nation. It does not matter that he did not cheat, or that there is no proof that he cheated, but it does matter to most because 'he is a liar'. Destroying the league, running up the score, and winning another superbowl will not change peoples minds. The only way peoples minds will change, is if can be proved that the league was vindictive, and unfairly started targeting the Patriots and Brady, and the haters are openly exposed. Goddell needs to go on TV and announce to the country that they (the NFL) was wrong in their judgment, and they are sorry for dragging the good name of Brady and the Patriots in the mud. I know this is never going to happen, so thus I hope that Brady is just as vindictive, and destroys the NFL as it is now. I hate saying this but after he wins his appeal, I would not fault him for retiring and then suing NFL for defamation. I will forever support Brady and belichick, but once they are gone (retired) I am done with football.