Cheaters!

-
Despite the fact that I complained about the sport all year - and it is a pretty lousy sport, overall - we did watch the football championship games over the weekend.

"Who you got?" Sam asked late last week.

"I want the Packers and Patriots," I said.

"Ugh," he said. "I can't believe you like the Patriots."

We got into the discussion about discipline, organization and not tooting one's own horn.

(Now a lot of people hate Tom Brady and his hoodie wearing coach in these parts, but they are not loudmouths about their work).

I admit they can rub people the wrong way...but have you ever heard them brag?

Anywhoha...

We watched the games together.

Early on we were thrilled with the Packers winning because we are not a fan of the Seahawks running back, Marshawn Lynch, or Richard Sherman or even Doug Baldwin...or Pete Carroll...

...they are loud, crotch-grabbing, and full of the "everyone doubted us" hate talk that seems to come with every win.

But the game got away from Green Bay in a classic meltdown...

...so there was general discomfort as game 2 began.

"What if the Patriots win it all?" Sam asked.

"I'm gonna' get a Championship Hoodie so I can store stuff in the pockets and I'm gonna' wear it around your aunts, uncles and grandmother."

Sam loved that.

"They'll rip you limb from limb."

"Why do you have to aggravate everyone?" My beautiful wife eventually asked.

"'Cause it's fun."

"Idiot."

The game wasn't close.

The Patriots were an absolute machine and eventually won 45-7.

After the game they were being accused of cheating because the footballs they supposedly were using when they were on offense had less air in them then the ones the Colts were using.

The story picked up a lot of steam in Buffalo.

"I knew it!"

"They always cheat!!"

"Belicheat!!!"

Calm down, folks.

They've won 70% of their games over the last 15 years.

Is it because the football they've been using an ounce lighter than the one their opponents have been using?

And I must admit...

...that's not truly gamesmanship...

...but at this point it appears they'd win if they were using a medicine ball and their opponents had the regulation football.

I prefer to think it's more about the discipline and the game plan.

Then again.

I don't really care.

I just wanna' win some squares....

...and aggravate a few people along the way.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more