Throwing Punches At The Universe

The house always wins. It's easy to forget when you're throwing punches at the universe. The universe plays rope-a-dope with all of us. You think that left hook connected. You think that right cross really did some damage. Then the universe just winks and smiles. And when you wake up, that's the last thing you remember.

 

Not a good week for right and wrong. Come to think of it, I can't remember the last good week for right and wrong. It's always about power, plain and simple; who has it and who is willing to use it.

If I had to guess, based on the reports from the Deflategate appeal, I'd guess the League will win and Judge Berman's ruling will be overturned. Then what?

I can't see Roger Goodell saying, "Now that my authority as Commissioner has rightly been upheld, I shall be magnanimous and vacate Tom Brady's four-game suspension." The NFL assiduously avoided collecting any PSI evidence during the 2015 season that could prove Brady and the Patriots innocent of any wrong-doing. Sure, they got the million bucks and the draft picks but the NFL doesn't want 12 ounces of flesh, they want the full pound.

Besides, whoever loses is sure to appeal. After the estimated $20m spend by the NFL, they're basically pot committed aren't they? Brady and the NFLPA both have their reasons for continuing to fight this right up to the point where the Supreme Court says, "Nah." Or maybe they don't. Who doesn't want a selfie with Tom Brady?

If the NFL wins this appeal, there's a part of me that want's Tom Brady to announce his retirement, saying he did nothing wrong and there's no way he'll serve a suspension for something he didn't do; there's no way he'll continue to participate in a business venture as corrupt as the NFL.

He's too competitive to do that, of course.

He wants one more ring.

Maybe instead he accepts the suspension without comment and refuses to speak to the media ever again, paying whatever fines the League levies.

Maybe the Patriots go 3-1-0 with Jimmy Garoppolo. When Brady returns they run the table. Brady enters the playoffs without the usual full season of wear and tear, having spent the first four weeks of the season swinging in a hammock eating avocado ice cream. In the playoffs, he authors the three best games of his career and secures a 5th Lombardi Trophy by throwing 8 TD passes as Belichick orders the Code Red. After the game, as Roger Goodell moves in to shake Tom's hand, Brady gives him a knee to the nuts…

Hey, where am I?

What's that? The last thing I remember?

The universe, I think it was the universe, it winked. And smiled.