As the final stretch of “deflategate” reaches a sobering culmination Sunday, the two-headed monster of Tom Brady and Giselle may need to recruit the paltry talents of reality television writers and producers in recapturing the interest and trust of an audience in virtual free fall.
Brady returns to the cozy confines of the Craft and Bellicheck empire in a less-than daunting match-up against the listless Cleveland Browns, in a game where the Patriot’s coach is sure to inflict as much damage as possible on his former team while employing tactical public relations measures in a strategic battle with Roger Goodell’s cabinet. However, the forthcoming circus act on the field may not merit the reacquaintance with core fans vanquished by the muted arrogance of ceaseless bureaucracy. During the 2016 preseason, Dallas Cowboy players were not allowed to wear emblems in support of local law enforcement. Celebrities such as James Woods have dismissed the NFL entirely in the wake of anti-flag sentiment by selected players.
As the league reached an apex in ratings and audience during the 2015 Superbowl, any momentum generated by the greatest show on turf has been neutralized and Fall Sundays once again emerge as days reserved for family drives.