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ASTTEHREISKA FAN’S GRIEVANCE ON CHEATING AND RULE MANIPULATION IN THE NFL Vern Nicholson ASTERISK PRESS

Text copyright © 2018 Vern NicholsonCover art copyright © 2018 Vern NicholsonReferee image used under license from DepositPhotos.comAll rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, without the prior written per-mission of the copyright owner except as permitted under Section 107 or108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, or except in the case of briefquotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.Requests for authorization should be addressed to Asterisk Press c/o Vern Nicholson PO Box 1294 Dover, NH 03821 or online at [email protected] Asterisk logo by Antonio Ward, Award DesignsCover design by Chris Babental, www.babental.comInterior layout and design by www.writingnights.orgeBook formatted by www.writingnights.orgBook preparation by Chad RobertsonReaders should be aware that internet sites offered as citations and/orsources for further information may have changed or disappeared betweenthe time this publication is made available, and when it is read.ISBN Print: 978-1-7325938-0-0ISBN eBook: 978-1-7325938-1-7 Book Website www.theasterisk.usPrinted on acid free paper in the United States of America 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

DEDICATIONTo my grandma, Ruby and brother, Jame. An ounce of thekindness and compassion you both possessed would be a crown-ing achievement in this lifetime.

Morally, the life of the organization must be of exemplary nature. This is one phase where the organization must not have criticism. — VINCE LOMBARDI

CONTENTS DEDICATION V EPIGRAPH VI CONTENTS VII PREFACE XI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS XVI INTRODUCTION A FAN’S GRIEVANCE 1 PROLOGUE 7 1ROGER GOODELL’S LEADERSHIP 15 2 NFL’S AFFIRMATIVE ACTION 28

3 SUPER BOWL LI 34 4 STEEL COMPARISON 45 5 NIGHTMARE ON DECEMBER 17TH 71 6 SPYGATE AND DEFLATEGATE 78 7 IN THE NAME OF SAFETY 106 8 NFL REORDER OF THINGS 123 9DROP-BACK VS ZONE-READ PASSERS 139

10THE GOAT FANTASY & THE LITTLE ASTERISK 164 11 FAN BASE ARGUMENTS 194 12 SOLUTIONS FOR THE DAMAGE DONE 208 APPENDIX 217 NOTES 219 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 227 INDEX 229



PROLOGUEIN 1978 THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE instituted new rule changes in an effort to adulterate the athleticism of a single player. One player out of more than a thousand in theLeague. The new rules targeted the superior technique of a cor-nerback who enhanced the already explosive defense of thePittsburgh Steelers. Mel Blount, the prototype cornerback of hisday, possessed the requisite speed and physical strength to dis-rupt a receiver’s route at the line of scrimmage, and allowed ter-

8 VERN NICHOLSONror defensive lineman, Mean Joe Greene, even more time toreach opposing team’s quarterbacks.1 Blount is considered to be one of the best cornerbacks to ev-er play the game and one of the original shutdown cornerbacks.He didn’t allow a single touchdown in the 1972 season. Miami Dolphins coach, Don Shula, who was on the rulescommittee said he was “given a mandate by the owners of theleague to open up the offense” and “make the game more excit-ing.”2 Mel Blount was the first cornerback to win Defensive Playerof the Year. Yet his athletic ability ran contrary to the NFL’s de-sire to elevate the excitement of the game. Unfortunately, theonly way the NFL could conceive of making the game more ex-citing was more points on the board. The NFL abolished the‘bump and run’ tactics that delivered a hard hit to the receiver toalter the timing of the opposing team’s offense. Bob Trumpy, a tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals from1968 to 1977, described Mel Blount’s superior play this way: “Now I know of very few players, in the history of the NFL, where the league changed the rules because one guy was too

THE ASTERISK 9good at one thing, in eliminating a receiver on a play-by-playbasis is what Mel Blount did.”3 The NFL recorded one of the lowest averages for points inthe 1977 season, a dismal 17.2 points per game. EliminatingBlount’s blunt force tactic after five yards would free up the re-ceiver—so the NFL executive’s train of thought ran—to putmore points on the scoreboard and this would make the gamemore appealing. So, what many analysts describe as the ‘MelBlount Rule’ was established in the League to offset the domi-nance of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who shut out offenses for anine game span in the 1976 season. The NFL all but ignored pushback from Steelers playersand coach, Chuck Noll, who developed what fans dubbed the‘Steel Curtain,’ and the 70’s best defense. Noll said, “Theyganged up on us. They’re trying to win the championshipthrough legislation.”4 In the 1970’s, just as it was in the 2000’s, it is always theNFL’s prerogative to dictate new standards for its own League.It is hard to question the owner’s authority to manipulate rulesin their favor, especially rules that affect their bottom line, but

10 VERN NICHOLSONquestioning their authority is different than critiquing theirmotives for implementing rule changes, especially changes thatrun counter to the integrity of fair athletic competition. There is no question that the ‘Mel Blount Rule’ was put inplace to limit the athleticism of a great player who deployed aneffective defensive technique better than other cornerbacks usingsimilar tactics since the 60’s. But it is hard to argue against theNFL eliminating a single technique especially since it failed toprevent Blount from continuing his dominance on the field ofplay. The Steelers went on to win two more Super Bowls afterthe League implemented the rule. A better argument could be made however, against the con-tinuation of such rules, their lasting impact over a period oftime, along with the motivation for implementing said rules tolimit athleticism. The complicated catch rules before the end ofthe 2017 season may very well have been implemented to slowdown what was done in 1978 along with the 1994 rule changes.It’s as if the 1978 and subsequent 1994 rule changes created theimpetus to rob Peter to pay Paul. The NFL attempted to rob asingle player, Blount, of his athletic exploits and two decadeslater needed to offset the massive success of receivers generated

THE ASTERISK 11by the robbery’s aftermath by altering something as basic ascatching the ball. A series of rule changes that many call “The Brady Rules”have had the same game altering effects of the so-called ‘MelBlount Rule,’ but were implemented for different reasons. TheNew England Patriots owner told the Boston Globe in 2009: “It's like if Peyton Manning were gone for a season, I thinkthe whole NFL suffers, the same way the NFL suffered withTommy out. So whatever we can do to protect quarterbacksand to minimize the opportunity of them being taken outwith a year-ending injury I would support. “It's not good for the league. What makes it special is specialplayers. It's like going to see a great movie and the star isn't inthe movie. It's the same principle.”5 In essence, the League implemented the Brady Rules be-cause of one player as well, but in contrast to the ‘Mel BlountRule,’ where the NFL made the change to prevent superior ath-letic play, with the Brady Rules the NFL took affirmative actionto protect the inferior athletic performance of immobile quarter-

12 VERN NICHOLSONbacks who could not maneuver as much in the pocket. The NFLdoubled down on this Affirmative Action against Athleticism byputting protections in place for receivers that made the one-dimensional drop-back quarterback’s quick pass deliveries evenmore potent. The NFL’s Brady Rules significantly exacerbated the effectsof preceding rule changes. These unnecessary rules changes,these rule manipulations, were implemented solely to protectone quarterback, based on the perceived star quality of this oneplayer. They have almost irrevocably altered professional foot-ball. Mel Blount’s great athletic performance was diminished byrule changes, and Tom Brady’s limited offensive performancewas significantly enhanced throughout the 2000’s by rule chang-es. In the case of Brady, rules changes weren’t the only artificialoperator impacting on his athleticism (or lack thereof). TheNFL also introduced, and relied heavily on, “points of emphasis”that allowed officials to subjectively gauge a defensive player’sintent before and after he tackles a quarterback. The enforce-ment of protections for quarterbacks is carried to a completelydifferent level except in the case of the more athletic zone-read

THE ASTERISK 13variety, who can be sacked even after the defenseless act ofpitching the ball. When the League enhances the skills of limited athletic ca-pability on the field it’s difficult for the average pro footballspectator to ascertain what is genuine performance. So we cele-brate based on the satisfaction of points on the board. We cele-brate whether the points are artificial or real. This is the out-come that Roger Goodell would like to see. There are many va-rieties of bottled water and for many consumers consumption isbased on the satisfaction of taste alone and not on the genuinepurification standards, or in the NFL's case superior athleticstandards. When a decade of cheating—and the eventual cover-up byGoodell—is thrown into the mix, it becomes even more difficultto measure a team or individual player’s performance. The Steel-ers managed to win four Super Bowls despite the 1978 rulechanges, but there are many fans who are left asking themselveswhat if those rules had not been implemented? What if, instead,the NFL had done a comprehensive analysis to determine howthe rules would impact athleticism? What if one team hadn’t de-cided that it was in their best interests to cheat their opponents?



ROGER GOODELL’S LEADERSHIP “These are multidimensional people. They should talk about issues that are important to them. It doesn’t mean everybody has to agree on those issues, but that’s America. This is a platform for free speech.” — NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVERWHEN 33-YEAR-OLD PETE ROZELLE was elected Commissioner of the National Football League in 1960 he was given a fifty-thousand dollar, three-year contract. Perhapsthis figure should not astonish you. The cost of living in 1960

16 VERN NICHOLSONwas not what it is today and there were only twelve teams in theNFL.1 Roger Goodell’s reported two hundred-million-dollar con-tract extension and use of a private jet2 is a far cry from PeteRozelle’s in 1960. Based on what I’ve uncovered about Rozelleand Goodell, the gulf in compensation serves as a great meta-phor for the distance separating the two in leadership. I had the privilege of meeting former Navy WWII veteranRozelle during my Navy training in San Diego. The formercommissioner stressed being grounded in honor, commitmentand integrity. In an odd way, the complexities and crises thathave emerged in the modern NFL contrasts with the NFL ofold. With the advent of legalized gambling, a plethora of mediapartners, personnel issues, and what appears to be a challengefrom the CBA looming in 2021, there is a sense that our timesbeckon for Rozelle-like leadership. Goodell’s passive-aggressivestyle is better suited to simpler times. Rozelle built on his predecessors’ legacy—expanding televi-sion coverage and making professional football one of today’spremier sports. His brand of leadership was instrumental inmerging the NFL and AFL, and was crucial to the formation of

THE ASTERISK 17today’s NFL. Under the tyranny of Goodell’s leadership, fans and playersalike—especially players—suffer. Even something as basic as thedefinition of a catch is apparently too difficult for the League tosort out. Careers in the League have been altered—fortunes per-haps lost—because League officials and executives have tinkeredwith the integrity of sports competition. The lagging ratingsmight be a direct result. The NFL hasn’t had decisive leadership during any of themodern day crises. Ironically, for all the rage directed towards him from Patri-ots fans, Goodell has been the Patriots’ key asset over the years.Even though I’m sure they’ll try to argue otherwise, no fan canlegitimately argue that Goodell’s role wasn’t key to ushering inthe Patriots’ era of dominance. My intent is to give a personal account of my reaction; afan’s perspective on significant changes to the sport—significantchanges that have impacted all NFL competition and the waymy beloved sport is played today.

18 VERN NICHOLSON *** Notwithstanding all the criticisms levied at his leadership,Roger Goodell is getting a free pass on his implementation ofthe rules he’s arbitrarily instituted for the sake of “player safety”during his tenure. The enduring perception is that there’s a leadership vacuumin the NFL. This is obvious and apparent to everyone. So muchso that even the NFL commissioner’s wife felt the need to createa private, “anonymous” Twitter account, in the name of “JonesSmith,” to defend him.3 In in a written statement to the WallStreet Journal Mrs. Goodell wrote: “It was a REALLY silly thing to do and done out of frustra- tion—and love. As a former media member, I’m always both- ered when the coverage doesn’t provide a complete and accu- rate picture of a story. I’m also a wife and a mom. I have al- ways passionately defended the hard-working guy I love—and I always will. I just may not use Twitter to do so in the fu- ture!”

THE ASTERISK 19 In one tweet Jane Goodell equates her husband’s leadershipof the NFL with that of his late father’s—US Senator CharlesGoodell out of Jamestown, New York—active opposition to theVietnam War: 4 In another tweet the commissioner’s wife criticized WallStreet Journal columnist, Jason Gay, after he playfully ribbedNew England Patriots fans for taking a photo with RogerGoodell:

20 VERN NICHOLSON And Jane Goodell was quick to throw both President Don-ald Trump, and the NFL Players Association, under the buswhen Seth Wickersham, a Senior Writer for ESPN The Maga-zine, tweeted about NFL dysfunction: 5

THE ASTERISK 21 Personally I parse the controversy surrounding ColinKaepernick, and the resultant player protests, through CivilRights and Constitutional rubrics. Another author might write agreat book on the subject. I’ll leave it alone except to state thatthe way Goodell handled the controversy is emblematic of how

22 VERN NICHOLSONhe has projected his leadership, or lack of leadership, during histenure. I take a very nuanced view of Kaepernick’s protests. As aveteran who served in Desert Storm, I am very sensitive to thosewho have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.This is sacred to me, so it is my decision to stand toacknowledge the fallen heroes during the National Anthem.Even if I were in a sporting arena in a country considered to bean adversary to the United States—a country with significanthuman rights abuses like Russia and China—I would feelcompelled to stand for their National Anthems as well, and putmy respect for the people of that country on display. However,as an American citizen, I am afforded the right to peacefullyprotest in the proud traditions of the country, so I understoodOakland Raiders running back, Marshawn Lynch, who sat forthe United States National Anthem and stood for the MexicanNational Anthem when he was in Mexico.6 I also admit tounderstanding those who might expect him to be moresympathetic to our flag while he’s in a foreign country. Althoughmany Americans are aware of the Mexico City protests duringthe Summer Olympics in 1968 for Civil Rights, that’s viewed as

THE ASTERISK 23an honorable and moral stance today. The unique thing about the American experiment is that theentire purpose of my service to my country is to protect the FirstAmendment, along with the other twenty-six Amendments tothe United States Constitution. This means respecting, and notbesmirching, anyone’s right to peacefully protest. Some World War II Veterans have acknowledged ColinKaepernick’s right to protest, but I suspect they are more in sup-port of his RIGHT to protest than they are of the protester.None of the Kaepernick T-shirts, and Rosa Parks comparisons,resonate with me. I’m not supportive of those who equateKaepernick with the great Civil Rights leaders. I am nonethelesssympathetic, and even passionate about, the American cause forwhich he exercised his right to protest. Rosa Parks and other Civil Rights pioneers protested duringa time when not only was it not popular to protest, she faced lossof work, jail, and threats to her life. In my opinion there wasmore honor, since there was more risk, in Rosa Parks’s stance.Having said that, I did find myself relishing Goodell’s passive-aggressive authority being questioned by the likes of DallasCowboys owner, Jerry Jones.

24 VERN NICHOLSON Despite having been in staunch opposition to the kneelingplayer protests, Jones constantly needled the commissioner whilethe issue raged. Jones went as far as to use Goodell’s contractdiscussions as a bargaining chip and as an expression of his dis-appointment about Goodell levying a 6 game suspension of theCowboys’ star running back, Ezekiel Elliott, for alleged domes-tic violence issues. It is true that football fans like myself have the luxury of be-ing nuanced on protesting during sporting events, but theCommissioner of the National Football League does a disservicewhen he circulates a letter that fails to mention the reason forthe protest despite making strong demands calling for an end tothe protest:7

THE ASTERISK 25

26 VERN NICHOLSON Even Martellus Bennett, who has since announced his re-tirement from the NFL, questioned the intent of the letter sinceGoodell managed to successfully stand for nothing in his re-sponse. The issue screamed for clarity and solutions, yet Goodelldid what he has done time and time again from his perch: dis-appoint people on both sides of the issue. Goodell and the owners finally came to an agreement de-spite Jerry Jones’ veiled threats and his holding-up Goodell’scontract talks. In my view Goodell’s leadership is as artificial asthe Patriots’ success in the League has been. The League imposing a policy that does not require NFLplayers to be on the field during the national anthem, while giv-ing teams authority to impose discipline if players still choose toprotest on the field only8 to come to a “Standstill Agreement”9

THE ASTERISK 27immediately after the NFLPA filed a grievance gives the ap-pearance that the NFL is being tossed to and fro from contro-versy to controversy.



ABOUT THE AUTHORVern Nicholson is a lifelong fan of professional football who be-lieves we all need to have a conversation about the legitimacy ofthe Patriots’ success over the past two decades. Thus: The As-terisk. Vern has been a small business owner and marketing execu-tive, and has lived in New Hampshire for over 15 years. He au-thored the Digital Marketing guide, Farming A Marketing Ex-plosion, and develops successful marketing campaigns for smallbusinesses across the country.