I would have taken the $20k...

[Phil316]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

The guy ended up trading it for Kearse s jersey he wore in the game. Kearse was also fined 5 grand for throwing the ball into the stands.

[johnsontravis@ymail.com]

Re: Legacies...

The closest parallel of the ball *might* be "The Catch" by Dwight Clark. It's not entirely the same, as that preceded their first victory, but it's the closest reasonable comparison.

Also, from what I've been seeing reported, the fan intends to return the ball to Kearse, which is why he wouldn't take the $20k (or any amount, supposedly). Now, I want the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to offer $700k and see if the young man still refuses to sell.

In other news about footballs...

With the Patriots supposedly on the hook for under-inflated footballs in the AFC title game, what does this do for legacy? Does Brady now get deemed a cheater, along with Belichick?

Also, with the penalty for a single infraction at $25k, would each of the 11 balls be counted as a separate infraction? Is there an escalator for penalties?

I understand that the NFL doesn't really vacate titles (unlike the NCAA), but there are two weeks before the SB. Couldn't the NFL simply say the Patriots were caught cheating in the AFC Title game, so they lose the game? I understand that's a high-leverage penalty, but Belichick has made it clear that he doesn't care about rules. If not for a forfeit-type penalty, the only way I see this working is:

$275k fine ($25k*11) & all SB/AFC title revenue forfeited to the NFL to be used to help with the huge legal battle ahead re: concussed players (which, I also don't entirely agree is the NFL's fault, but that's a discussion I don't really care to go into).

Belichick banned from holding any position within the league. This would be akin to Rose's ban from MLB.

Patriots forfeit first & second round picks from 2015-2020. If the Patriots should have a top-10 selection in any year, they shall also forfeit their third round pick. The Patriots shall be banned from trading for any selections in the first 100 picks of any draft from 2015-2020.

Yes, all of that seems severe, but I really think anything less will simply be laughed at by the Patriots organization.

The balls were deflated great...but did they get deflated before or after the Refs checked them? Because if the Refs allowed them I don't see how you blame the Patriots for it. It is the Refs responsibility to check the balls.

Now if somehow these balls were deflated after the inspection I have seen enough of Belichick. He would go down as another guy who could have been great, but instead cheated multiple times to taint his career.

[danesei@yahoo.com]

Re: Legacies...

The balls were deflated great...but did they get deflated before or after the Refs checked them? Because if the Refs allowed them I don't see how you blame the Patriots for it. It is the Refs responsibility to check the balls.

Now if somehow these balls were deflated after the inspection I have seen enough of Belichick. He would go down as another guy who could have been great, but instead cheated multiple times to taint his career.

According to the NFL investigation so far, the balls were within standard to during the pre-game check by the referees. That said, somehow the first half balls were deemed underinflated, but the second half balls were found to be within standard. Does this mean each half uses a different batch or the balls were reinflated prior to the second half?

[sox83cubs84]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

After the conference championships, I initially declared that I would take a pass on the Super Bowl due to both teams being from blue states. After this, I have taken a mulligan and have decided to pull for the Seahawks. The team may be from one of the furthest left-wing cities in the nation, but at least they don't cheat!

Dave Miedema

[chargeralaska]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

Interesting story...

I don't usually let random politics interfere with which sports team I enjoy or don't. I just can't imagine not collecting or only collecting based on the surroundings of the political minds in the city the team I like is based in or not in.

But every collector collects what they like for the reasons they like--I just hadn't thought about politics being involved in worth/value before. I always thought Chicago was a blue region, but perhaps I am misinformed.

Good luck to both teams in the Super Bowl.

[chargeralaska]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

I mean no offense other than just commenting on the specific comment. I live in a very, very, very Red state. I just hadn't ever thought to dissect what players do in their personal time (as long as it's not beating their spouse or murdering people etc. ) or what players do by playing in the region they have been selected to play in/agreed to play in bearing weight on the worth of the item at hand. I'll bet I own some items from players that do not agree with my own perception of morality and life as well as players that do line up with what I feel is right.

I collect the team/players I like and based on the stats that coincide with it.

I am saying to not collect based on region is valid--it just hadn't occurred to me to do that.

Can't wait for next football season!

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

After the conference championships, I initially declared that I would take a pass on the Super Bowl due to both teams being from blue states.
Dave Miedema

[chargeralaska]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

I didn't mean to take this original thread in to a different area--we all collect and root for what we like for our own reasons!

I don't think ANY modern game ball is worth $20,000 initially--If I were in that guys position I would probably go with cash, but it seems that he may be a true fan of the Seahawks and wanted to get the ball back to Kearse or the team.

That $20,000 could buy a lot of Kearse GU jerseys though...

[sox83cubs84]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

Interesting story...

I don't usually let random politics interfere with which sports team I enjoy or don't. I just can't imagine not collecting or only collecting based on the surroundings of the political minds in the city the team I like is based in or not in.

But every collector collects what they like for the reasons they like--I just hadn't thought about politics being involved in worth/value before. I always thought Chicago was a blue region, but perhaps I am misinformed.

Good luck to both teams in the Super Bowl.

You're correct about Chicago, but I'm not of a blue mindset.

Dave M.

[seanbaseball]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

After the conference championships, I initially declared that I would take a pass on the Super Bowl due to both teams being from blue states. After this, I have taken a mulligan and have decided to pull for the Seahawks. The team may be from one of the furthest left-wing cities in the nation, but at least they don't cheat!

Dave Miedema

Curious if this is due to social or economic policies?

[sox83cubs84]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

As stated in the original post (which was edited in a later post), the Patriots CHEAT, while the Seahawks don't appear to. That's why I'll be supporting the Seahawks now.

Dave M.

[seanbaseball]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

As stated in the original post (which was edited in a later post), the Patriots CHEAT, while the Seahawks don't appear to. That's why I'll be supporting the Seahawks now.

Dave M.

I agree completely. Thats why the Rams lost to them in the Superbowl!

[Neely8]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

I agree completely. Thats why the Rams lost to them in the Superbowl!

And I'm a Rams fan and I'm still pissed, even more so because I was at that game!!

[BVC]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

As stated in the original post (which was edited in a later post), the Patriots CHEAT, while the Seahawks don't appear to. That's why I'll be supporting the Seahawks now.

Dave M.

I was at the game and I'm a Seahawks fan;however, this football is kind of interesting. Perhaps the Patriot players simply squeezed the extra 2psi out of the balls?

[3arod13]

Re: I would have taken the $20k...

I think if Seattle wins the Super Bowl, then that's a great ball. If not, not so much.

As I stated before, not so much!