Remember this? A lot of that probably started from our good friend Gregg Easterbrook.
link:
TMQ: Good vs. Evil - ESPN Page 2
By Actual Pats Fan, reality-based analysis
Patriots at Colts has a powerful, compelling narrative. Namely -- Good vs. Evil.
The fact that I don't even need to tell you which team represents Good and which stands for Evil says a lot about how intelligent and aware New Englanders are. You knew instantly which was which, didn't you? Argument for the New England Patriots as paladins who carry the banner of that which is beneficent: Sportsmanship, honesty, modesty, devotion to community, embrace of traditional small-town life, belief in higher power, even love of laughter. The Patriots are the defending champions, so they obviously play well on the field. Yet, after winning each of their Super Bowls, they have remained humble and appealing. Through prior years of postseason frustration, they never complained or pointed the finger outside their team. Their players are active in community affairs and did not carp in the past about being assigned to a Northern, Puritan city with an antiquated stadium. Their coach, Bill Belichick, smiles when appropriate and answers honestly whatever he is asked: He grimaces at bad plays like any normal, human head coach and, when defeated, doesn't make excuses. When asked about his responsibility, he says, "Hey, it beats workin'...", which shows perspective. The team's star, Tom Brady, stands for love of family, does not get compensated for volunteer charitable public appearances, openly displays his love and devotion to his sisters, mother and father. Brady is happily married, and he constantly makes fun of himself (see
SNL, Simpsons and
Ted 2). Ladies and gentlemen, representing Good, the New England Patriots.
Obviousness for the Indianapolis Colts as scoundrels in the service of that which is baleful: Dishonesty, betrayal of the loyal fans of Baltimore, drunkenness, conspiracies with other loser franchises making false accusations of cheating toward the Patriots, arrogance, hubris, endless complaining even in success. The Colts do have a recent Super Bowl ring, but that jewelry is tarnished by their blatant support from the league office and the officials. They make crybaby complaints about cirmumstances and rules, thus mocking sportsmanship. Their coach typically throws sh*t up against the wall, expecting to and seeing it stick because the media likes him. Dungy and the rest of the top of the Colts' organization continue to refuse to answer questions about what was done in their home games -- and generally, you refuse to answer questions if you have something to hide. The team's star, Peyton Manning, is a smirking, overrated loser who never met a paid endorsement he didn't take. That constant smirk on Manning's face reminds one of **** Cheney; people who smirk are fairly broadcasting the message, "I'm hiding something[like HGH]." The Colts seem especially creepy at this point because we still don't know the extent of their complicity with the Ravens and the league, to railroad the Patriots. Ladies and gentlemen, representing Evil, the Indianapolis Colts.
In the Good vs. Evil narrative of the Patriots; and the Colts, Broncos, Ravens and Steelers, playing on an even field without an unfair competitive advantage reveals a team's sportsmanship or lack of same, and whether a team shows sportsmanship in public might offer insights into its character in private. New England's opponents are so protected and exempt from any discipline or attention from the NFL that it's creepy, and the NFL's creepy off-field behavior is only underscoring the seediness of its abject, bias-driven corruption.
Kraft is the only one who admitted to systematic cheating. The Patriots were wronged; they never wronged others. New England's version of events is in fact true -- that Belichick is a fine person who made no mistake about rules that were clearly written and other teams did the exact same thing, but the Commissioner subjectively opined that they broke rules, specifically, that their cameras were in the "wrong location". There is not the slightest hint that Belichick is sorry -- because he did not do anything wrong. Innocent people falsely accused crave the recovery of their reputation, working hard to convince the world they are good, which is exactly what the Patriots (except Kraft) do. Creepy people who think they can get away with something act belligerent and show poor sportsmanship, which is what Goodell does all the time. Commissioner Roger Goodell himself called his fantasy about the Patriots' behavior "a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid long-standing rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition" -- perfectly describing what the Broncos did in '97 & '98 but were merely quietly slapped on the wrist. The truth is, who would
not want Patriots' players endorsing their product? The Patriots are unfairly maligned. The whole situation with Goodell and the league's insane punishment remains creepy. There should be a huge amount of cynicism about the NFL. But people are stupid, and buy balderdash like that from morons like Gregg Easterbrook hook, line and sinker. The Patriots stand for everything sports enthusiasts and athletes should be proud of.
You're welcome!
