Failure

[lynxreign]

The failure of the NFL to address this makes me far less interested in the NFL as a whole.

I still care about the Packers and I'm not saying people shouldn't like their team, but the handwaving and "nothing to see here" taints the entire enterprise for me.

I posted this on Facebook, but I probably should have just posted it here. Ah well.

Comments

[telepresence]

Is there any actual evidence the Patriots are cheating? It mostly seems like this guy is just angry because the Patriots are doing really well this year.

[lynxreign]

This year or in years past? They've been caught and fined in the past, but nothing was really done to make sure they stopped and the earlier cheating was covered up by the NFL.
There's nothing to suggest they've stopped. Would you let Bernie Madoff handle your investments today?

[telepresence]

It just feels like trying to prove a negative to me. Yes, they got caught cheating in the past and were fined for it. Now apparently the standard of proof is...we don't have proof they aren't cheating?

[lynxreign]

They were fined for one of the infractions and the fine was about the same as you or I having to pay a dollar and not have to say sorry or promise not to do it again.

If it were (fill in the name of some team you don't care about) what would it take for you to believe they weren't cheating any more? At the very least, Bellicheck should have been suspended. Make it something they'll actually care about.

I'm not saying they definetely are and neither is the guy that wrote the article. I'm just saying that there's no reason to believe they aren't.

It may be a bit like trying to prove a negative, but that's one of the consequences of cheating. Absent decent proof or a punishment that might deter recidivism who would trust you again? Should Michael Vick be put in charge of an animal shelter? Who would trust him? Should BP be put in charge of environmental safety? Who would trust them?