Patriots Cheating! Are They Deflating Kids Faith?

Please tell me it's not true! Please tell me that my favorite NFL Team -"The New England Patriots", didn't deflate the footballs just to win! Please tell me that you would never stoop this low just to win! Please tell me that you will always be honest and play with integrity!

We, NFL Patriots fans, deserve an honest answer to if you deflated 11 of 12 footballs prior to the NFL Super Bowl Playoff game as reported by Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

If it comes out that you not only cheated, but lied about it, my kids and I will be wearing blank red, white or blue shirts on NFL Super Bowl XLIX 2015 (#NoPatriotsLogo), signifying that I as a parent will not support cheating or lying just to win a football game. 

My kids NFL Patriot Fans

I have been a loyal New England Patriots fan since I can remember, having been raised in southern New Hampshire. And I raised my kids to absolutely love the "Patriots". But I'm torn, and my kids faith in this team has been deflated.

The word "Patriots" means a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. They are the ones we love because they are there for us, the people! They represent us as a nation. They are the ones who wear red (valor), white (innocence) and blue (justice). 

This Super Bowl XLIX 2015 Playoff game has left a bad taste in my mouth. There are people who are trying to destroy the Patriots (and Bill Belichick's) reputation. Is that what is happening here? Or did the Patriots again do something unethical?

That leaves me as a mom, a fan, having to sit down with my kids and explain why our favorite NFL team cheated or why people are trying to ruin the Patriots reputation. What world do we live in? What message are we trying to teach our children?

My oldest son NFL Patriots Fan

I pride myself as a parent to raise my kids to be honest. That is one of the greatest messages I convey in the Wunderkind Family children's books. And when it comes to sports, or any competitive activity, my kids know that you win or lose with pride and portraying great sportsmanship. If you practice and try your best, then that is what counts - win or lose. 

The New England Patriots NFL team have left loyal, dedicated fans angry, disappointed and confused. They, the Ravens, the Colts and the media have left parents wondering if role models will truly exist again.

Cheating and lying are not acceptable in my house; as is making up stories that hurt other's. 

I hope the facts come out. And if it's true about the New England Patriots, my family will not be wearing their logo on NFL Super Bowl XLIX 2015. If it was a rumor where someone wanted to again tarnish the Patriots (specifically Belichick and Brady) reputation, I hope they are punished for the emotional ups and downs they have caused us fans.

Update, February, 2015! I'm really glad the Patriots won the Super Bowl! And after discussing with my kids, we ended up wearing the Patriots logo! 

Update, May 7, 2015! Ugh! The media is saying it's true - Brady was involved with deflating the footballs. I'm really bummed. Why can't people and teams be ethical and honest? Why can't celebrities be good role models for our kids. Brady really let us down. He deserves to be benched if it is true. Winning at all costs isn't a viable answer. Winning because you are the best, is!

Teaching Kids Sportsmanship When Parents Fail To Lead By Example

Kids learn sportsmanship through parents and coaches. And this past weekend, during and after an all day fast pitch tournament, I witnessed many parents and coaches failing their children.

There was an incident where a fast pitch coach was yelling at a parent. The umpire had call time out as the coach yelled and used gestures that expressed her anger. It was embarrassing. The parent and coach should have been asked to leave. Then there was another incident where several parents accused a larger sized nine year old girl of knocking one of their smaller sized eleven year old players to the ground on purpose. Emotions were high and some tears flowed, when the umpire called her safe. And she was safe. What the parents failed to recognize was the age of the child, her skill level, and the size of both girls. The girl who knocked the catcher over was twice her size. And bitterness continued onto the field. As the kids lined up to shake hands, the losing team slapped the winning teams hands really hard. It was heartbreaking that they didn't congratulate them and wish them well in the next game. 

Kids need to be taught that one team is going to win and another will lose. There will be bad calls and mistakes made. That's part of the game. And coaches and parents need to lead the kids by example.

Below are my suggestions to sideline parents and coaches on how to teach kids about sportsmanship. It starts with their behavior!

• Put yourself in the umpire and coaches shoes. It's not an easy job, especially dealing with sideline parents who many think they can do better.
• Umpires and referee's will make bad calls. They are human. And sometimes a bad call may cost you the game. Let it go. Getting angry isn't going to change their call and make your child feel any better.
• Most coaches are volunteers. They aren't getting paid and some are learning the game as they coach. I've been a coach many times and it's not easy. Especially dealing with parents.
• After the game, put your game face smile on, pat your child's back and tell them they did a great job. Parents are a lot harder on their kids and sometimes don't have a perfect perspective of how they really played. I'm guilty of it. I expect a lot more from my kids, then other kids. Take a deep breath and think about your child's feelings. Kids want to please their coaches and parents. They aren't on the field trying to miss a ball or strike out. Remember that during and after the game.
• Coaches need to help calm the parents down.
• Coaches should communicate to the parents at the beginning of the season the code of conduct and what they expect.
• Acknowledge good plays on both sides of the field.
• Cheer your team and make sure your kids are being good sports in the dug out.
• Shake the other teams hands after every win and loss with a smile.
• Bullying, no matter what, is not acceptable and action should be taken if a parent (and coach) bully's an umpire, coach or child.

Enjoy sharing in your child's love of sports. And help them learn sportsmanship by being a good role model yourself.


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