One of the highlights of my life was having the opportunity to attend Super Bowl XXXI, the NFL championship game in which the mighty Packers of Green Bay stomped the New England Patriots. While the Packers won, that game proved to be a spring board to the revitalization of the New England Patriots. They were the last dynasty in the NFL. They were pure. It was difficult not to like them.
Until now. Coach Bill Belichek has admitted to having his staff film the defensive signals of other teams. At a recent game against the New York Jets, the video camera of a Patriot photographer was confiscated. The film in the camera contained images of the Jet coaches giving defensive play signals. The Patriots were caught red-handed. They are cheaters.
While many will suggest that the NFL is only a game and this is not a big deal (everyone must do it), it really does set a bad example. The Patriots are still a favorite to win the Super Bowl. They sell plenty of merchandise. Bill Belichek is seen as a coaching genius. Quarterback Tom Brady is the all-American boy. And they cheat. They take the shortcuts. It is a big deal not because of the impact cheating could have in the NFL, but because of the impact that not caring cheating has on society. Cheat on school tests. Cheat on your taxes. Cheat on your spouse. Who cares?
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