Heard in the Cheap Seats

As this whole Spygate saga unfolded, there was no shortage of opinions on the situation. Some held to the belief that this was an isolated incident, while others maintained that the Patriots took the fall for the entire league. We may never know the truth for certain, but my guess is the reality is probably somewhere in between.

In the days leading up to the Matt Walsh meeting with Commissioner Goodell, I watched in amazement as people crawled out of the woodwork to take the opportunity to rehash the entire Spygate scandal. As the meeting approached, it became increasingly evident that it would amount to little more than a ceremonial wiping of the slate for the league. Matt Walsh was after nothing more than his time in the limelight.

Well, he got that time and now we should all move on from the incident for the sake of the game. Unfortunately, people like Arlen Specter won’t let the situation die. Of course, Specter will tell you he is merely attempting to protect the sanctity of the game. Baloney.

Arlen Specter has no interest in protecting the sanctity of the game. His primary interest is grandstanding to a constituency that is fiercely loyal to the Eagles but has a waning trust in politics–especially Republican politics. Specter’s other primary motive is catering to the demands of Philadelphia-based cable giant Comcast.

There is no risk in his shameful grandstanding. If he is wrong, so what, we all were misled. If he is right, he looks like the watchdog he so desperately wants to be. Either way, he still has portrayed himself to the people as a politician willing to stand up to powerful money-making entities. Ironic, when what he is really doing is bending to the will of another, large money-making entity.

As an Eagles fan, you might expect that I appreciate the efforts of Specter. After all, the heartache from the Eagles loss in the Super Bowl to the Patriots is still fresh (especially living in Boston). But more than some sort of hallow vindication; I want attention shifted from some politician working for personal gain to the game. If Specter truly is protecting the sanctity of the game, he should do us all a favor and drop his charade.