Deflategate
By: Logan Alford
About the Deflategate
On January 18, 2015 the Indianapolis Colts visited the New England Patriots for the AFC Championship game. During the game, the Patriots scored many unanswered points. One of the players from the Colts had thought the ball might be a little deflated, hence the name deflategate. The Patriots were believed to have tampered with the pressure in the football to help Tom Brady throw better passes. The NFL suspended Tom Brady on May 11, 2015 because of the incident for the first 4 games of the 2015-2016 regular season. The suspension was dropped shortly before the regular season was started. On April 25, 2016 the NFL reinstated the suspension for the 2016-2017 regular season.
Media Perspective 1
The media pays close attention to the Patriots. They always seem to be the "cheaters" and each scenario gets named spygate or deflategate. The media looks for any reason to shut down the Patriots because they always seem to win. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are always to focus when it comes to these issues.
Media Perspective 2
The Patriots are one of the best teams ever to play. Many people believe they don't cheat and believe the team is just that good. Belichick and Brady are one of the best combo setups ever to play. It's hard to hate on something that is making history. Their strategy has always been up to par with the competition. The Patriots are a great team and are not cheaters.
Media Bias
The media is biased by using loaded language and headlines. The writers always seem to incorporate there opinion the subject. Whether they believe it or not, they say what's on there mind about Deflategate. Also, headlines are used by either approving of the Patriots or condemning them.
Historical Criticism
Deflategate can be looked at using historical criticism. In past years, the Patriots have always been looked at as the team of cheaters. In 2007, the team had been accused of video taping the New York Jets team and identifying hand signals to know what the defense would do in certain situations. It is clear that the Patriots have always tried to find an advantage when playing against the competition.
Marxist Criticism
In addition to historical criticism, Deflategate can be looked at using marxist criticism. The Patriots being guilty or not always seem to find a way out of a situation. When the NFL lifted the 4 game suspension, the penalized the team instead. The team was fined $1 million and had to forfeit 2 picks in the next 2 years. All the NFL wanted was the money and not the integrity of the sport. The Delfategate was a way to get money from the Patriots.
Tom Brady & Deflategate Timeline (Updated) | NFL
Cited Sources
Martin, J., Dotson, K., Hanks, H. (2015, July 30). NFL upholds Tom Brady's four-game 'Deflategate' suspension.
Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/28/us/tom-brady-deflategate-suspension-upheld/
Smith, M. (2015, February 2). NFL morning after: The Patriots are the NFL's greatest dynasty.
Retrieved from http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/02/nfl-morning-after-the-patriots-are-the-nfls-greatest-dynasty/
Van Natta Jr., D., Wickersham, S. (2015, September 8). Spygate to Deflategate: Inside what split the NFL and Patriots apart.
Retrieved from http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/13533995/split-nfl-new-england-patriots-apart