Sports Buzz Blog Forum

Too important to let it slip by...

I’m writing this because after several weeks it appears that the NFL isn’t willing to police the actions of their league. This upsets me because I have an 8 year old son who plays football, baseball and a daughter who plays soccer. I continue to teach each of them about fairness, doing your absolute best at all times, and discuss what it feels like to win by doing your best. My son has asked me about the Patriots, cheating, and … “Dad, why do the let them get away that”? To date, I haven’t been able to provide him with an adequate answer or at least one that I am ready to provide to him. The NFL TALKS about competition in a very prideful manner, claims ownership of the world’s greatest sports game and yes, even talks about fairness. Attached is a copy a portion of Vince Lombardi’s most famous speech. What do you think he would have had to say about the New England Patriots and their cheating ways? It is afterall, “his” trophy they hand out to the SuperBowl winner each year. I’m certain that other teams have cheated too. But, it would seem to me that all who receive “The Vince Lombardi Trophy” must exemplify Coach Lombardi’s philosophy, work ethic and passion. It seems clear that the Patriots are missing the point of the Coach’s spirit. What’s a solution? I have an idea… If the Patriots cheating (and any other team) goes without a much more severe penalty than the NFL seems to be willing to hand out there will be no reason for them and other teams to do the same or more. That being the case maybe the NFL should remove the extremely honorable name of Coach Vince Lombardi from the trophy that they hand out every year. Let’s make it the … say… the Michael Vick trophy or a trophy with a lesser name. But, certainly not “The Vince Lombardi Trophy”. It appears to me that the NFL could take a lesson from the NCAA here. How about a 1 – 5 year exclusion (depending on the severity of the infraction) from Post-Season play? I believe that would get the attention of any franchise. What do you think?? This issue isn’t just about the Patriots, or the NFL. They don’t know it but they’re defining our children’s values and sense of fair play and circumventing our teachings. Please don’t just let this issue die or just fade away. It’s far important to our young sportsmen and women for us to let them down. What it Takes to be Number One - by Vince Lombardi It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive games draw the most competitive men. That's why they are there - to compete. To know the rules and objectives when they get in the game. The object is to win fairly, squarely, "by the rules - but to win. And in truth. I've never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline. There is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and the harsh reality of head to head combat. I don't say these things because I believe in the "brute" nature of man or that men must be brutalized to be combative. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour - his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear - is that moment when he has to work his heart out in a good cause and he's exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. -Vince Lombardi