BLOG: Ban the Patriots from the NFL Playoffs
By Tom Millikan
As you've heard by now, the investigation into Deflate Gate has concluded and the evidence appears to point to Tom Brady knowing that the balls were deflated. America's boy has been caught red handed. So now what? How should Brady and the Patriots be punished?
The NFL is spiraling out of control with credibility issues and inconsistencies with discipline. Now is the perfect time for the harshest of disciplines. Roger Goodell has the perfect opportunity to set a new serious tone with the Patriots. After all, they are a repeat violator considering Spy Gate.
Mr. Commissioner, I beg you to ban the Patriots from the playoffs next year!
Yes, it is radical. Yes, it would send shock waves throughout our country. But it would also set a new precedent. Cheaters and criminals have no place in sports.
Look, I'm a Tom Brady honk. I love Michigan football. I was a Brady over Henson guy. I love what Brady has done in the NFL. He is America's boy. But he at a minimum indirectly cheated and it compromised the integrity of the game.
Imagine a referee deflating a ball for one team to affect a game. The outcry would be ridiculous. The same should be true in this case. We need consistency in sports. We need to "cut the crap" as Mike Valenti said on 97.1 The Ticket yesterday.
As they say, football is the ultimate team game. I agree with that statement. And the team should make the ultimate sacrifice in this case.