I think Vic Ketchman from "Ask Vic" has some great insight coming from many years of covering the NFL:
From his Q&A article "We all signed up for this"
From his Q&A article "We all signed up for this"
I covered a Steelers-Raiders game in Oakland in 1973. We dubbed it the “Dirty Tricks Game” because the Raiders repeatedly sent “doctored” footballs into the game. On one occasion, Ray Mansfield leaned on the football and it went flat. On another occasion, the ball was covered in Vaseline. Other times, dirty words were written on the ball. In those days, the process for providing footballs was much different; it wasn’t nearly as secure. I remember how much fun we all had writing the story and finding ways to use the word expletive to hint at what was written on the balls. Times have changed. Football has become a witch hunt. It’s become crime and punishment, instead of mischief and laughter. I don’t know what the deal is with “Deflategate,” though I’m sure I won’t be spared the details over the next several days. What I will say about it is this: Let’s get the truth; let’s find out if this is the work of a serial cheater. I have no doubt the commissioner will take it from there.
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