Tom Brady. What is the first thought that comes to mind when you read or hear his name? I think of a four time Super Bowl champion and three time Super Bowl MVP. In fact, I think of the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. From what I see on my social media such as Facebook and Twitter, is nothing but absolute hate for this man. So I asked myself why so many people dislike such a likeable person?
The answer is quite simple. They hate his success. Brady was drafted 199th overall in the 2000 NFL draft. No one thought he would be the player that he is today. I will tell you one thing, he did.
This brings me to the overly discussed topic that is “deflategate.” It pains me to see Brady put in the light that the media such as ESPN and the NFL Network have been putting him under. Now, the constant coverage of this story is absolutely pathetic. Is there no other content to provide your viewers?
This goes back to something I wrote about in another piece about the news presenting only what was trending and not what was important. Since so many people like to hate on Brady and the Patriots for their success, it would only make sense for the networks to milk this story for everything it has to offer.
I understand that his is a big story. I mean, we are talking about one of the greatest, if not the greatest to ever play the game being charged of cheating. For many biased and uniformed Facebook and Twitter users, it is so easy to call him a cheater and all the other profane words used to describe him that I, for many reasons, will not repeat.
The Wells report, in my opinion, was the biggest waste of approximately 5 million dollars. That money would have been better spent elsewhere, somewhere like, donating it to schools or basically any charity on earth. 5 million dollars for a “more probable than not.” If I am paying you millions of dollars, I want hard evidence and answers, not a maybe. Are you kidding me? This maybe is what the NFL is going after to punish Brady and the Patriots. Commissioner Goodell does not hesitate to punish people even without the proper evidence. This is not the first time either. He is notorious for laying down the hammer on players.
Going back to how the media has been covering this situation. On NFL Network, I turn to it and on the menu guide it says it is showing the “TOP 10 Brett Favre Games.” I am instantly tuning in, thinking I am going to watch the gunslinger bomb a 50 yard touchdown, only to be greatly disappointed. Can you guess what was on? You got it, “deflategate” coverage. It only makes the situation worse when it is all people talk about.
Later on in the day, I find myself flipping through the channels once more. I see that this time, the NFL Network is showing what I believed was “Path to the Draft,” or something of substance. I was yet again disappointed to see Ian Rappaport’s face once again discussing “deflategate.” The NFL Network decided to forgo all scheduled programming to shove “deflategate” down our throats and to me, that’s disrespectful to the viewer.
I am convinced that all of the information discussed over the past 24 hours about Tom Brady and “deflategate” could have all been discussed and shared in 15 minutes. But that is what the media is all about. Making mountains out of mole hills and stretching any news into full blown 24 hour coverage.
Not only is it disrespectful and pathetic, it is thoroughly obnoxious. Even Colin Kaepernick agrees that we should move on from this story.
“No football in the world is going to help you win by 38! Let it go and let Tom be great! On to the 2015 season #7tormsComing.”
He makes a legitimate case here. The Patriots made the Colts look like a 2-14 team. I can assure you, it was not the PSI in the balls that made this happen. It was the brilliance of both Brady and New England head coach Bill Belichick.
As for Brady’s legacy, unfortunately, it will now be tarnished by “deflategate.” But not by his doing, it was the selfish media and jealous haters out there that made that happen.
If you want an image that says it all, look up the front page of the Boston Herald. Here is a link, enjoy.
–Nick Ortiz