Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory
I cannot see why people are trying to rationalize the Patriots cheating. They flat out got caught cheating. Whether everyone else is cheating or not is irrelevant. They did, and it's no less wrong because "everyone else" is doing it.
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Cory is exactly right. It doesn't matter whether or not it is football or FIRST, 'everyone else does it' is NOT an excuse to break the rules. The Patriots were busted because they were doing something wrong. A spectator may be right in saying that the whole NFL is corrupt and every team breaks the rules for their competitive advantage. If that's true, why do we bother to watch? That corruption takes away from the game and the players who truly are incredible athletes. It overshadows the close wins and the tough losses. It's no longer a game - or a competition - at that point.
Just like football, we've all heard rumors about teams cheating in FIRST, 'creatively' bending the rules to give them the competitive edge that puts them over the top and into the winners' spot.
That isn't winning. When you are playing in a sport (or any competition, for that matter) where a winner is to be determined, the true winner is the person or team that follows the rules and still manages to best their opponents.
I do not root for football or FIRST teams that cheat. If someone told me tomorrow that my favorite sports teams cheated, I'd find another team to root for. Whether its steroids, videotapes, or whatever it is, "everyone is doing it" is NOT acceptable. It does not make you a role model.
You aren't a winner in football - or FIRST - unless you walk off the field knowing that you followed the rules
completely, did your best, and still managed to eek out the win. Knowing that you were truly chosen as the best of the best, without having to resort to petty or foul play to win; walking off the field with the respect (no matter how begrudging) of your competitors; picking up that trophy or having that medal placed around your neck, and knowing that you've earned it - THAT is winning.