Shocker: Patriots Fans More Willing to Ignore Possible Ethical Lapse

Would the Patriots fans’ diehard dedication to their team cloud their opinion of the ethical issues at work?

Did the non-Pats fans think Pats lovers should give up on their team? And what they would think if their team were in the Patriots’ shoes…er…cleats?

Their answers were insightful. Into what, I’m not sure. But here they are.

A Patriots Fan

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about and I’d prefer to keep it that way at least through the end of next Sunday.”

A New Englander Who Loves the Pats

“Should Yankees fans give up on their team because Roger Clemens and A-Rod were using steroids?

“As for the Pats… I’ve been a fan since I was a little kid—since before they got blown out in their first Super Bowl in 1986 (final score 46 to 10), and then when they went something like 20-80 over five seasons in the late 80s and early 90s and the team nearly moved to St. Louis and then Hartford. So I have some perspective. Beyond geographic allegiance (I grew up in Rhode Island), I like Belichick’s no-nonsense, “do-your-job” style, and the fact that Tom Brady was I think a seventh round draft pick—an underdog who became one of the best QBs in the history of the game.

“I would have trouble rooting for the team if they’d done something truly bad—for example allowing a guy who entered a plea deal (to obstruction of justice) in the middle of his murder trial remain as a star of the team (Baltimore Ravens), or if the Pats had stood behind Aaron Hernandez after he was arrested for murder. However, the deflating balls thing seems ridiculous; not a scandal at all, except for a media frenzy. Nobody has come forward with any proof of any tampering or intentional act as of this writing, and it had actually no impact on the game that I’m aware of. The videotaping thing from a few years ago—well, I think it’s amazing that other teams don’t do this. But, the Pats did it, broke the rules, got caught and paid the fine. What other issues are we talking about?”

A Deflated Chargers Fan Who Often Watches Games With a Passionate and Foul-Mouthed Pats Fan

“They could suck all the air out of the balls or fill them with helium and the Chargers would still lose.”

A Devoted Patriots Fan

“Some people are looking to hurt Tom Brady and our beloved Patriots. These people are bad and should be ignored. I think that’s all you need to know for now.”

A Football Lover Who Is Not Exclusively a Pats Fan

“I tend to hang in the camp who waits to see the evidence before convicting sports figures. Though I will say so far it’s looking bad for Tom, as it did when I defended Lance Armstrong for years. I don’t think this is remotely as bad as what Lance did, but if true it does point to the same arrogance. Altered balls were unnecessary, they would have crushed the Colts either way. So it does show a side of Tom (if he knew) that is extremely unlikable. On that note, I’ll pull for Russell Wilson, a self-confessed former bully. At least he’s honest (so far as I know). Can we just have a good game though?”

A (Delusional?) Patriots Fan

“I have not discussed it at home because if I don’t talk about it, it didn’t happen.”