Dec 2, 2018
In this episode of The Authority I tackle the issue of cheating
in sports. And the featured topic is the documented serial cheating
of the NFL team The New England Patriots. For almost 2 decades now
they have been accused and ultimately have been found to be serial
cheaters. Although it has been proven that they are serial cheaters
of massive proportions... http://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/13533995/split-nfl-new-england-patriots-apart
... they have practically received little to no accountability or
punishment for their multiple offences.
<br/ > And in the meantime, while receiving no punishment
they have become the most successful franchise in modern football
history winning 5 super bowls along with multiple super bowl
appearances since 2002. One must question with all this winning,
why no punishment for their numerous cheating offences? Is it race?
Protecting the legacy of the white quarterback Tom Brady, the white
coach Bill Belichick and the white owner Robert Kraft.
Contrast this reality with the black high profile sports figures in
recent years having their careers and even lives ruined because of
alleged cheating: Barry Bonds and the steroid scandal, former NFL
running back Reggie Bush having his Heisman Trophy confiscated when
he was at USC and the Jackie Robinson West little league baseball
team who got their 2014 national title revoked. Why do they and the
many other high-profile sports figures (mostly black) receive
harsh, unapologetic punishment for cheating and the New England
Patriots don’t? Again, is it race? I discuss this topic with David
Leonard, national scholar of race, popular culture and sports.