It has been seven years since the New England Patriots became entwined in the controversy known as “Spygate,” yet the story continues to find itself in media headlines.
Since the scandal, the Patriots have been to two Super Bowls, recorded an undefeated regular season, and won their division in all but one season. The Patriots have not won a Super Bowl since the controversy first broke, but have constantly proven the incredible talent that exudes from each individual on their roster.
Cary Williams of the Philadelphia Eagles is the latest NFL player to once again coin the Patriots as “cheaters,” saying earlier this month to the Philadelphia Inquirer:
“They are cheaters. I give them all the credit in the world, but one fact remains. They haven’t won a Super Bowl since they got caught.”
In preparation for joint practices with New England, Williams did not back away from these comments, saying to The News Journal in Delaware that “it’s in the history books.”
Yes, it’s true; the Patriots are ingrained in football history for a less-than-admirable reason, but they are also history-makers for many other positive attributes. The Patriots had an undefeated regular season — a feat that was accomplished just after the scandal broke. Additionally, New England still has arguably the best quarterback in league history in Tom Brady, and whether you love or hate the Patriots, cheating doesn’t diminish talent.
Whether they cheated or not, the Patriots would probably still have three Super Bowl Championships under their belts.
The truth of the matter is that the Patriots are an amazing team, and all Williams’ comments do is make it seem like a Super Bowl is an easy thing to win, suggesting the Patriots only won because they cheated. The Patriots have not won since they were caught; that’s a fact, but that shouldn’t tarnish their place in history as an elite football franchise.
They have been to two Super Bowls since; that’s two more than the Eagles have seen, and the Patriots are constantly in the mix as favorites to win another Super Bowl.
Winning one more Super Bowl in the Bill Belichick/Brady era may finally silence the critics, but it may not. Unfortunately for New England, they will always be stigmatized as “cheaters,” and there may be nothing they can do about that.
Kayleigh Hagenbuch is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.
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