How deeply does the unwavering loyalty of Patriots fans affect their perception of ethical concerns surrounding their team? Do non-Patriots fans believe that die-hard supporters should reconsider their allegiance? And how would they react if their own teams were in a similar predicament? The responses provide a fascinating glimpse into fan psychology.
A Loyal Patriots Supporter
“I honestly have no clue what you’re talking about and I’d like to keep it that way until after next Sunday’s game.”
A New England Enthusiast
“Should Yankees fans abandon their team just because of the steroid scandals involving Roger Clemens and A-Rod? I’ve been a Patriots fan since I was a kid—long before they suffered a humiliating defeat in their first Super Bowl in 1986 (final score: 46-10), and through the rough patch of going roughly 20-80 over five seasons in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when the team nearly relocated to St. Louis or Hartford. My geographic ties are strong (I grew up in Rhode Island), and I appreciate Belichick’s pragmatic, ‘do-your-job’ approach, along with Tom Brady’s story as a seventh-round draft pick who became one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
If they committed an egregious act—like keeping a player who was involved in a murder trial as a star (similar to the Ravens with their player)—then my loyalty would falter. But deflating footballs? That seems ridiculous, almost trivial, and hasn’t affected the game in any substantial way that I can see. As for the previous videotaping incident, I find it surprising that other teams don’t do the same; yes, the Patriots broke the rules, got caught, and accepted their punishment. What else are we discussing here?”
An Envious Chargers Fan
“They could let the air out of all the balls or fill them with helium, and the Chargers would still lose.”
A Devoted Patriots Fan
“Some individuals are just out to harm Tom Brady and our beloved Patriots. Those people are misguided and should be ignored. That’s all there is to it for now.”
A Casual Football Fan
“I tend to wait for evidence before passing judgment on sports figures. However, it’s not looking great for Tom, similar to when I defended Lance Armstrong for years. This situation isn’t as severe as what Lance did, but it does reflect a certain arrogance. Altering balls was completely unnecessary; they would have beaten the Colts regardless. If true, it does reveal a side of Tom (if he was aware) that’s quite unappealing. On that note, I’ll cheer for Russell Wilson, who has at least been honest about his past. Can we just enjoy a good game?”
A (Possibly Naive?) Patriots Fan
“I haven’t talked about it at home because if I don’t acknowledge it, it’s like it never happened.”
This article was originally published on Jan. 27, 2015.
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In summary, the responses from Patriots fans reveal a complex mix of loyalty and rationalization. While some fans are staunch defenders of their team, others show a willingness to assess ethical lapses critically. The dialogue illustrates the challenges of navigating fan identity in the face of controversy.