Joe Levi:
a cross-discipline, multi-dimensional problem solver who thinks outside the box – but within reality™

A Simple Solution to the Deflated Balls Situation

Anyone who follows sports should know about the scandal surrounding “the big game”. After the Patriots played the Colts (and won), something was noticed about the balls. They were too light. Someone had deflated them by approximately two psi per ball.

Balls that aren’t inflated to the pressure called for by the regulations are easier to throw, easier to catch, and easier to hold on to.
We don’t know (or they aren’t saying) who tampered with the balls (or perhaps they tampered with the gauge on the ball-pump?), but for a seasoned quarterback like Brady to not notice that something was “off” is nearly impossible. He should have noticed, and should have reported it to the officials. He didn’t.

Many are saying the Patriots should be disqualified, and the Colts should take their place against the Seahawks. Whether or not you think that’s the right solution, it’s just not going to happen.

The “remedy”, if you can call it that, is probably going to be a fine and the Patriots may lose some draft picks next year. Big deal. With that kind of “punishment”, you’re all but inviting cheating!

There’s a much simpler solution!

Don’t let Brady play.

Brady had to have known (even if he wasn’t directly involved in the act of deflating the balls – plural). Brady didn’t report it and he should have. Brady was the QB for the home team – the winning team. Punish Brady.

Brady will go down as the only quarterback in NFL history that was banned from the big game.

No other quarterback will ever let this stand on their watch, for fear of being thrown in the same category as Brady.

The Seahawks get to go up against the second-string QB, which will give them an advantage, sure, but cheating has to be punished.

If Brady wasn’t to blame, he’ll call for a full-on investigation. He’ll demand it. He won’t want to go down in history as the cheating quarterback that got banned from the Super Bowl. He’ll sue the responsible party for damages – big time damages – and will probably win (if he’s not implicated as well). Brady will have been vindicated, his reputation (and his wallet) restored, and we’ll have a real disincentive for cheaters.

Then again, why are we so worried about deflated balls? Shouldn’t we be more outraged that an organization that seems to be about nothing but grotesque amounts of profit is somehow tax-free?

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