Concern or Not?

Superbowl 49 is close to the kick-off and it’s not with out controversy, given the recent concern with the game balls and “deflate-gate”.

Some call it cheating, while others simply say it was all caused by the different weather in the area.

The question is “Who do we believe and did they cheat”? Right or wrong, this will go down as one of the most controversial Superbowl games in history.

The other one that created controversy was Superbowl XL (40) where ironically the Seahawks played the Steelers in 2005.

The game was played February 5/05 at Ford Field in Detroit with 68,206 on hand to watch the Steelers dominate the Seahawks 21-10.

Much of the controversy was surrounding the officiating from members of the media soon after the game.

One call that was complained about was an offensive pass interference on wide receiver Darrell Jackson for a push-off against Steelers safety Chris Hope that nullified his 16-yard TD reception in the first quarter of play.

Another had to do with a penalty in the fourth quarter against Seattle right tackle Sean Locklear for holding Clark Haggans of the Steelers that nullified a deep pass.

Also disputed was the penalty on Hasselbeck for an illegal block while making a tackle during Ike Taylor’s interception return.

In an on-line poll on ESPN with 103,167 votes, 61.7% of those votes were cast for the choice of “officiating mistakes affected the outcome of Super Bowl XL.

In response to the criticisms leveled at the officials, the NFL, just two days after the game, released a statement defending the officials’ performance.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said “The game was properly officiated, including, as in most NFL games, some tight plays that produced disagreement about the calls made by the officials.” End of story!!

This time it’s all about if the game balls that were used in the AFC Championship game between the Patriots and the Colts.

QB Tom Brady met with the media and told them that he “did not alter the ball in any way.”

The presser lasted a little more than 30 minutes and if you ask him or anyone else with the Patriots the case is closed.

The NFL found that 11 of the Patriots’ 12 game balls from their 45-7 win over the Colts were inflated significantly below the NFL’s requirements.

Not exactly what the fans want to hear from a team that is going to yet another Superbowl, this time in Glendale Arizona at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

For fans living in the Pacific North West many were guessing at the start of the season as at the midpoint of the season they had a record of 3-3.

The rest of the season saw them win nine of the final 10 regular season games, thus preventing the opposition from scoring any TD’s in five games.

The defense ranked first in the NFL with fewest points allowed (254) and the O-Line was tied in rushing yards with 2,762.

QB Russell Wilson completed 63.2% of his passes for 4,475 yds and 20 TD’s, with seven TD’s.

Marshawn Lynch (RB) was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl, ranking fourth in the NFL with 1,306 rushing yards and first in rushing touchdowns with 13.

He also caught 37 passes for 364 yards and four more touchdowns, so given these stats and the deflated balls, this game has more hype that a trip to Disneyland.

Will Wilson out gun Tom Brady and will this put an end to the arrogance of those playing the game?

The problems of the deflate-gate by no means outweighs the overall problems the league faces from all the recent abuse we are privy too from all areas of the press.

Ray Rice and his Spousal abuse, overall arrogance from players, which is nothing less than sheer disrespect from players toward the fans as well as how League Commissioner Roger Goodell refuses to be strong and take charge are things they must change.

Greg Hardy made $13.1 million this season was found guilty in July by a District Judge of assaulting and threatening to kill his ex-girl friend in May.

Jerry Jones the high-profile owner has been sued for more than $1 million by an ex-stripper who claims he sexually assaulted her in 2009.

Not to mention that the 49er’s lead the NFL with 10 player arrests since 2012.

These are only some of the problems faced by the NFL and one thing is for certain, they should take a chapter out of the BC Lions play book on abuse.

It’s called Be More Than A Bystander and if you are interested you can check out the following link:

http://www.bclions.com/page/bemorethanabystander

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:12212920