“Ye who are without sin….”
The deflation issue concerning
the Patriots gives us a great opportunity to discuss, in context to the
inflation of the bladder of a football, life situations. I know it is very easy to point a finger and
say, “It’s in the rule book, so if you break it, you are a cheater.” I also know that we “cheat,” “break laws,”
etc. on a regular basis. Let’s look at
the issue.
Let’s consider the bladder
inflation rule. The rule states that the
football is to be between 11.5 and 13.5 lbs.
That is the specification of the rule.
Should the Pats be punished for using a ball that had a 1.5% overall
difference … Yes … as much as the NFL dictates.
But don’t be confused with this rule and the spygate (which isn’t even a
written rule). I do believe spygate was
totally wrong and was punished severely … as it should have been. But this bladder issue touches many life
situations.
Soccer rules
state (high school) that there are to be no earrings of any kind worn during a
contest. It is the coach’s
responsibility to make sure all players are properly and legally equipped. We asked them this before each game. If any
player is caught during play with an earring they are told to leave the field,
and the coach gets a yellow card. Well …
8 of 10 times when this happens the referee will ask the player to go over
during a stoppage and give the earring to somebody on the sideline. Did they break the rule? Yes.
Are they cheaters? Should they be
punished? I’ll let you decide. There is an intent to the rule, and the rule
was obeyed when we recognized the earring without interfering with the flow of
the game. But the bottom line is that it
is in the rule book to NOT wear earrings.
It is soccer and
basketball rule for the ball to be at a certain psi. The soccer rule is firm and the basketball
rule is a little vague in that the psi is a suggestion, but that the ball needs
to bounce to, not above, a certain height.
It is the responsibility of the officials, in all sports, to make sure
the balls meet the specifications. In
soccer I even take a psi needle and check each ball. If a ball is ever questioned during a game we
just replace the ball. Did it cause an
advantage? Probably not. So why change the ball? We switched balls because there was a complaint. Some teams, in soccer, like a softer ball for
heading while others like a firmly ball for heading and shooting. It is just a preference. The rule is there as a guideline so people
don’t try to play with a flat ball. Is
there a psi rule in soccer and basketball?
Yes. Are teams cheaters if they
try to use an improperly inflated bladder? Should they be punished? I’ll let you decide.
The rule book in
basketball states that a coach must stay in the coaching box or a technical
foul will be awarded. I know I’ve
stepped out of the coaching box plenty when I was a coach, and I’ve received,
at least, one technical for that offense.
Is it a rule in the rulebook to stay in the confines of the coaching
box? Yes. Is there a reason why that rule is in the
rulebook? Yes. Am I a cheater for stepping out of the
coaching box? Should I be punished? I’ll let you decide.
Your wife is
trying on a dress and asks you her opinion.
If you don’t like the dress … what do you say? If you say, “It looks great honey,” when you
really think it doesn’t flatter her … are you are liar? Should you be punished? I’ll let you decide.
This brings us
back to the deflated ball that the Pats used that caused an overall 1.5%
difference in how the ball “feels” in the hand.
Does this give an advantage? Kurt
Warner said today that there is no way to tell if there is an advantage
gained. He said it’s totally personal
preference. The referees are responsible
for making sure the balls are and stay at proper levels, and if there is ever a
complaint they are to switch the balls out … just as I do in a basketball or
soccer match. The Colts did this in the
first half and the second half was played with properly inflated balls
(according to the officials).
Should the Pats be punished? Yes … as much as the NFL dictates is
necessary to conform to the situation.
Before you answer the question to
say, in this situation, that the Pats are cheaters … PERIOD … I think you need to reflect back to
the top of the page. Have you ever driven
40 mph in a 35 mph? Did you break the
law? Should you be punished? If they officer lets you off will you say …
“No, I’m a criminal! I broke the
law! I earned this ticket, so give it to
me.” You went over the speed limit by
about 30% by going 40 in a 35 zone.
Should you be labeled as a law breaker and criminal because you go 40 in
a 35 zone? I’ll let you decide? I’m sure you’ll say, “I’ll pay the ticket if
I get caught.” Thanks for being
honest. That is my opinion of football
gate. It caused no advantage … it did
break the rules … and if they did it on purpose they should be punished if
caught. Do I think it’s right to deflate
on purpose? No, but that is specifically
an officials issue.
Have you ever texted, at all,
while driving? Is it against the
law? Yes. Should you be punished? If caught one certainly will be. Are you a law breaker and a criminal for
texting while driving? I’ll let you
decide.
All that being said, we must be
very careful when, why and how we point fingers because, when you do, 3 are
always pointing back at the pointer.
BTW … I love Bill’s press
conference on 1/22/2015
Live OUT LOUD!
Mark Harrell – Habakkuk 2:2
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