The NFL is a giant mess that tries to attract attention more off the field than focusing on what really matters on the field.
The latest monstrosity from the multi-billion-dollar industry continues to focus on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Deflate-gate. Since Brady was accused of deflating most of his footballs prior to the AFC Championship game, the NFL and media have been consumed with how to make an example out of Brady and his antics. Whether it’s Brady trying to use under-inflated footballs or New England spying on teams, the NFL is poised to make sure the Patriots don’t survive from these scandals.
Consider this one of the worst-ever attempts at implementing a death penalty in professional sports.
Not only does the NFL completely miss its target with this “witch hunt,” it’s determined to take the focus off the game itself and instead make a mockery out of the sport and everything that it once stood for. The NFL is an overused joke that upcoming comedians refuse to recite in front of a mirror. It’s pathetic.
But what’s even more pathetic is one of the top headlines this week in the NFL is exposing emails from Brady to see whether he communicated any intent to cheat during the title game against the Colts this past January. But they found nothing meaningful, except a couple exchanges about how Brady thinks he will outlast rival Peyton Manning and a comical fight over an absurd pool cover.
What about training camp? What about the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony that has a local tie-in? Who will come out victorious at the Super Bowl, which will be at the 49ers’ new home?
Instead of wondering how this month’s training camps will play out or what we should expect this season, we’re stuck with nonsense fueled by the NFL’s latest attempt at trying to flex its muscles of authority. Unless it involves cheating, domestic abuse or concussions, the NFL doesn’t care. And that’s a big mistake with the size of audience it attracts to its 16-game regular season quest for the Super Bowl.
But as long as the money keeps flowing, this is the way of life in the NFL, especially during the offseason. If football isn’t a headline during the basketball or baseball season, then the NFL tries to make up a headline. The amount of ridiculousness doesn’t matter. There are no rules or authority to govern the stupidity of this once respected and prosperous entity.
The NFL needs to be stopped and it starts with the teams. The owners, front office, coaching staff, players and even the cheerleaders have more power than the NFL itself to suppress this idiotic behavior. The fans have the most power, however, and without people in the stands or buying NFL TV packages, there is no NFL. It’s high school football on steroids.
The latest Brady revelation, or lack thereof, is more proof of how preposterous and absurd the NFL has become. Instead of paying more respect and attention to the players reporting to camp or ex-greats being rewarded for their excellence, we’re stuck with wondering if our tax dollars are going to be wasted on a possible court case involving Brady and the NFL over his four-game suspension.
The NFL needs help. You, the fan, the ultimate stakeholder in the success and future of the NFL can do something about it. But will you? Will anyone?
The NFL is a lost cause. And the players, coaches and fans deserve more. They deserve better.
Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.