Every day truly is a learning experience.
During the pregame hype of the Patriots game it was revealed that some Patriots lineman who is in a contract dispute almost had the deal done this week. Part of the contract was that he had to personally apologize to owner Bob Kraft for for questioning the team's negotiating tactics and integrity. So he did it, but then the contract called for a second apology to be issued in public. Well, the big man didn't go for that and he wasn't playing yesterday.
I'm sorry I haven't look into the situation deeper; however, several other things during my socialization period yesterday:
After the game Randy Moss spouted off about it being a business, etc, and the hosts at ESPN were just laughing and weren't going to comment. It then occurred to me that all these hours and hours of football coverage in the media are nothing more than an extension of the NFL office management because I have seen another guy on their shows talk about the contract blackmail of NFL teams and how it is the great secret that is never discussed when the media gins fans up in envy of what those darn players make.
There was not a word about the one finger salute in union solidarity that the players took on Thursday before the Saints-Vikings opener regarding a potential lock-out next year by owners if contract negotiations fail. And the wrap-up shows didn't like the gesture, either!
Then there is the fact that sports are always pro-war. When you see the forces that are behind them it is not a surprise; however, it is always something that has bothered me about sports. I play basketball myself (have a game tonight), and to me the game is about the life-affirming the joy of running and jumping and playing. What I am reminded of is the old North Dallas Forty quote: "Every time I call it a business you call it a game, and every time I call it a game you call it a business."
Then during the games this guy for Detroit catches a pass for a touchdown and the refs huddle and then say no catch. They show it on replay, the official standing right there calls it a TD, the guy gets both feet down, holds out the ball, then hits the ground and the ball comes out of his hand.
So what is the problem?
Well, the call comes down from up above and the call is changed to say he didn't have possession, blah, blah, blah.
Yup, the FIX WAS IN as it SO OFTEN IS in SPORTS!!
Later on they showed a play from LAST YEAR'S SUPER BOWL where they GAVE a TD to the Saints guy saying "well, he had control of the ball in the air across the goal line before he hit and the ball came loose."
Reminded me of years ago when they ripped off the Oakland Raiders out here in a playoff game and said Brady didn't fumble the ball and changed the call and the Patriots came back and went all the way and the legend was born. Looks like Detroit got it "tucked" to 'em yesterday.
