The Patriots are an anomaly. They’re the only team in the NFL who has managed to do that. There are 31 other teams in the league. There is most certainly parity in that league. It’s not perfect but it’s probably as close as professional sports get.
The NBA doesn’t have parity. I don’t think they even really try to.
No team in the NFL plays mostly white players. There are definitely ties between the Patriots and Trump, their owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick have been friends of his for years. Their quarterback Tom Brady is apparently a Trump supporter because he had a “Make America Great Again” hat in his locker (Kraft gave it to him) and he has praised Trump’s accomplishments in interviews. I don’t think it’s a personal friendship like it is with Kraft and Belichick, more a mutual public respect (Trump has also praised Brady in tweets).
On the other hand, those friendships have cooled off since Trump took a public stance against NFL protests, and it’s unsure how close the leadership of New England is toward the president. If they won the Super Bowl, they may not be invited to the White House or may not accept if invited. Then again it seems like the National Anthem controversy has died off so maybe it’s no longer an issue.
He also made it pretty clear, from the time he took over the Rams, that he had no real desire to keep them in St. Louis, and then followed through on it.
I’m not a huge fan of the Rams, but, daaaaang, I’m tired of seeing the Patriots. I’ll just put it this way: if the Vikings were the NFC champs, I would be cheering for them tomorrow, and as a lifelong Packer fan, I really don’t like the Vikings.
I’m rooting for all the people who go bicycling on the emptied streets, the people who meet to work on their knitting projects together, and all the people who say, “Superbowl? That’s today? That’s a football game, right? I’ve heard of it … somewhere.”
__ 13:41 (2nd OT) 2nd & 7 on their own 48, Brady throws a pick-6 to Hill – but he is ruled down on the 2, no score
__ 13:28 1st & Goal on the 2, Goff fakes to Gurley and tries a QB sneak, but is hit hard at the 1 and fumbles the ball away
__ 12:17 3rd & 9 on their own 2, after two pathetic rushing attempts, Brady drops back and throws to Dorsett at the 16, who, after breaking 5 tackles, aided by at least 3 questionable blocks, go the length of the field; Pats fans celebrate wildly; four minutes later, the ref announces that, after lengthy review, officials have determined that Brady stepped out of the endzone while throwing the pass, the Rams earn a safety, game over.
Of course, there is much controversy. Pats fans play the tape over and over again, claiming that his foot was in and the ball was leaving his fingertips as his heel came down on the white. Rams take home the trophy.
MrKnowItAll, I think we’re meant to restrict ourselves to the 31 teams who compete for the Superbowl. Bringing in other teams like the Browns, the Indians, or Manchester United is irrelevant.
Though I suppose that there’s at least an outside chance that the Tribe or Man U could someday win it.
In a month, the start of the American Footie season begins. So, at least there is that. Now they have the right number of teams to make their schedules balance out.
Vikings fan here trapped around nothing but Yinzers. I have a certain respect for the Pats; their fans are packing muskets and explosives and ya gotta love that. But they have been there done that lately and the Rams this season were just too good a feeling so ------- my hopes are for the Rams.
Don’t forget Trump used to be a registered Democrat, from 2000-2009. He’s reportedly changed his party affiliation five times over the years. I’m sure he’s rubbed elbows with people of various political ideologies.
I honestly didn’t know who was playing until this post, but not the Patriots. Not because of any animosity, but because I already saw them win twice. It’s no fun rooting for the ones who always win.
