Could the NFL be rigged?

[senile1]

Superbowl 40 - Steelers vs Seahawks 

Superbowl 40 is exhibit A for games where the officials affected the outcome in a tremendous way.  I mentioned it in a post above but I think when a thread gets this long most of us don't read every post.  It is rather difficult to justify what happened in that Superbowl by characterizing it as normal officiating mistakes. 

http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/2.5281/seahawks-were-cheated-1.813623

http://www.outsports.com/nfl/2005/superbowl.htm

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

I've seen a lot of silly topics over the years,

but this ranks #1. Did someone suggest that

Peyton Manning could be "bought"? Simply

ridiculous.

:-X

[Dan:]

I think there is an error in thinking that very very rich people will spend millions to ensure a winning bet. There are plenty of lower-risk (and legal) investment opportunities out there.

[Gone_Phishin]

Yeah Peterson had 7 fumbles on the year and he fumbled the ball all the way back to high school but 4 in one night! I think that's how many times he fumbled in that game. And then I know Favre is the master of interceptions. But running and throwing BACK across the field in that situation was wayyy too fishy for me. I'm just saying I hope that these games aren't rigged and I've never really thought about it until now. But it could be easily done by the higher ups. I hate to think that Manning could do it. But what if he got a phone call one night and it said if he doesn't give the Saints a good chance of winning that he could kiss the hall of fame goodbye. I'm not saying that happened but couldn't it easily have happened?? And then you have the chance of people getting paid off by the NFL to throw an interception or fumble the ball. Say 100,000 for every fumble or 80,000 for every interception. What would you do with the offer??

Did you ever watched him before he left GB?  Come on.

[BassDeaton01]

Yes I know he holds the record for most interceptions and he did make some really bad choices in his career. But I was just seeing what everyone thought about this subject. I had never thought about it until this guy I work with started talking about it after the NFC championship. I think it could happen but who knows. That's why I hate conspiracy theories because who really knows the truth? You don't unless you are involved in the so called conspiracy.

[Little Luey]

Yeah Peterson had 7 fumbles on the year and he fumbled the ball all the way back to high school but 4 in one night! I think that's how many times he fumbled in that game. And then I know Favre is the master of interceptions. But running and throwing BACK across the field in that situation was wayyy too fishy for me. I'm just saying I hope that these games aren't rigged and I've never really thought about it until now. But it could be easily done by the higher ups. I hate to think that Manning could do it. But what if he got a phone call one night and it said if he doesn't give the Saints a good chance of winning that he could kiss the hall of fame goodbye. I'm not saying that happened but couldn't it easily have happened?? And then you have the chance of people getting paid off by the NFL to throw an interception or fumble the ball. Say 100,000 for every fumble or 80,000 for every interception. What would you do with the offer??

How about a more morbid scenario in which Manning gets a call or a letter saying if he doesn't do such and such, he'd better watch out for his family...etc.

Like I said, there are many very rich and very powerful people who have large, vested interests in the outcomes of many games. That fact alone should throw up a red flag.

Where there's money to be had, the scumbags school up and circle. Sports, politics, Wall Street, and everything else. Again, that's not proof of any wrongdoing, but it does make one think.

I got one, how about and alien flying ship came to indiana and kidnaped the real Manning and replaced him with their INT happy clone. You know, the same alien who replaced the one Peterson you saw not fumble the ball this season at all?

wouldn't that be possible too?

No man, it is not rigged, too many people involved, too many people would have to be in on this to make it work.

[BassDeaton01]

You know what? After doing some research on all of this and reading a lot of the posts on here...i'm going to recant my earlier comments on the NFL being rigged. I honestly have never believed this and I hate my employee for pointing this out and making me think about this. It would really involve too many people to work and I am definitely not a conspiracy theorist nor do I ever intend to be one. Thanks guys for pulling me back down to Earth.

[NewAngler]

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad the Saints won and I think they deserve it. But how many times has Peyton Manning basically threw the ball to the other team with the game on the line? I mean the receiver might have ran the wrong route but he looked like he just said here's the game Saints and threw the ball to the defender. And then in the NFC championship game with Peterson fumbling x amount of times and Favre throwing that dumb pass at the end for an interception. Peterson hardly EVER fumbled during the regular season. Then this topic takes me back to the Patriots winning the SB after 9/11. Maybe just a coincendence right? I hope this is not the case and this is the reason College football is better than pro IMO. I know I may get thrashed for this post and it may even get deleted but this is a possibilty.

This ticks me off. The nfl being rigged is the dumbest thing I've ever read. Peterson fumbles more than any back the past three seasons, yet the nfc championship game was rigged. Favre has been throwing passes like that for 19 nfl seasons, and even back to his days at southern Mississippi state. Stupid.

[Tokyo Tony]

Yeah Peterson had 7 fumbles on the year and he fumbled the ball all the way back to high school but 4 in one night! I think that's how many times he fumbled in that game. And then I know Favre is the master of interceptions. But running and throwing BACK across the field in that situation was wayyy too fishy for me. I'm just saying I hope that these games aren't rigged and I've never really thought about it until now. But it could be easily done by the higher ups. I hate to think that Manning could do it. But what if he got a phone call one night and it said if he doesn't give the Saints a good chance of winning that he could kiss the hall of fame goodbye. I'm not saying that happened but couldn't it easily have happened?? And then you have the chance of people getting paid off by the NFL to throw an interception or fumble the ball. Say 100,000 for every fumble or 80,000 for every interception. What would you do with the offer??

How about a more morbid scenario in which Manning gets a call or a letter saying if he doesn't do such and such, he'd better watch out for his family...etc.

Like I said, there are many very rich and very powerful people who have large, vested interests in the outcomes of many games. That fact alone should throw up a red flag.

Where there's money to be had, the scumbags school up and circle. Sports, politics, Wall Street, and everything else. Again, that's not proof of any wrongdoing, but it does make one think.

I got one, how about and alien flying ship came to indiana and kidnaped the real Manning and replaced him with their INT happy clone. You know, the same alien who replaced the one Peterson you saw not fumble the ball this season at all?

wouldn't that be possible too?

No man, it is not rigged, too many people involved, too many people would have to be in on this to make it work.

I said nothing of Peterson, FYI.

"Too many people involved, too many people would have to be in on this to make it work."

That's just not convincing.

Look, I said nothing of this Super Bowl (I don't think). Yeah, for this one to have been rigged, it seems unlikely. However, there have been big games whose outcomes have absolutely been determined by several shady calls. Human error? Perhaps. Were the refs bought? Perhaps. We really don't know. However, from some of the stuff I've read, it seems to be the case that there are NFL games that are rigged. All it takes is a couple refs who seem only to call pass interference or holding on one team, not the other. With the rule structure, football seems to be the easiest game to rig (well, maybe other than boxing). Look at the NBA ref who was nabbed. He swears he's not the only one. Is it so far fetched to stretch that corruption to the NFL?

I don't think so.

If you want to take everything at face value, by all means go ahead. I tend to question things, which is my prerogative. Don't berate me because I may have different views. At least I back mine up.

*Edit* I take back what I said about a scenario in which Manning is threatened. I know that is super-far-fetched 

[Jake.]

Hasselhoff threw an interception and when he made the tackle he was flagged for an "illegal" low tackle. How does anyone make an illegal low tackle?

David Hasselhoff played in the NFL?  ;D

[J Francho]

The government did it.

[senile1]

Hasselhoff threw an interception and when he made the tackle he was flagged for an "illegal" low tackle. How does anyone make an illegal low tackle?

David Hasselhoff played in the NFL? ;D

I'm laughing so hard I almost choked on the water I'm drinking.  I meant Hasselbeck, of course.  I can't believe I typed in Hasselhoff.  That's hilarious. 

[Dan:]

Hasselhoff threw an interception and when he made the tackle he was flagged for an "illegal" low tackle. How does anyone make an illegal low tackle?

David Hasselhoff played in the NFL? ;D

I'm laughing so hard I almost choked on the water I'm drinking. I meant Hasselbeck, of course. I can't believe I typed in Hasselhoff. That's hilarious.

lol, I thought you typed that as a joke!

[NewAngler]

His name holds truth!

[Uncle Leo]

Hasselhoff threw an interception and when he made the tackle he was flagged for an "illegal" low tackle. How does anyone make an illegal low tackle?

David Hasselhoff played in the NFL? ;D

Sure why do you think he likes to partake and fall down?

[brushhoggin]

if the super bowl was rigged, then Mora is a great actor.

http://ebaumnation.com/2010/02/05/classic-playoffs

[Root beer]

I found the source of who said the game was fixed. Turned out it was Phil Fulmer. Who would've thought. :

I've been arguing with Tennessee fans all day that the game was not fixed, and if it was was then their precious Peyton Manning (who is consider the face of UT) is now tarnishing Tennessee's image.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Without reading the whole thread I'll say this:  I hate the idea of the game being rigged.  Sick to the stomach hate.  I won't say you're right or wrong because there is some very coincidental stuff that happens.  It wouldn't surprise me one bit if plays or games are rigged.  I try really hard to ignore all of the political aspects to sports in general and try hard to just enjoy the game for what it is.

[Gone_Phishin]

I found the source of who said the game was fixed. Turned out it was Phil Fulmer. Who would've thought. :

I thought it was Patriot fans still whining about the 08' game.  ;D

[Redlinerobert]

It would be virtually impossible to coordinate and rig a team sport, much less the NFL.  I know a couple of the players from the 49ers personally.  I don't believe for one second this could happen, with any team.

Boxing on the other hand, is a completely different can of worms.

[Turtle.]

Being a Colts fan do I think it was rigged:  No

Do I think Its possible:  Sure it could happen.

For those who think its impossible or a inconceivable act. Then I say.....

The 1919 World Series. I think Arnold Rothstein showed the world that anything is possible.

[TommyBass]

The Colts got to predictable, that pass was their favorite play in that situation and Porter read it and under cut the route...excellent defense.

Peterson is known for coughing up the ball all the way back to high school

He was also one of the worst corners of all time in college and gave up big plays to absolute no-name people.  Now hes picking off Peyton on Reggie?..........but no I don't think its rigged for the most part.   The NFL has a ton of parity and literally any team can win on any day period.  It just wasn't the Colts day.

[Dalton Tam]

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad the Saints won and I think they deserve it. But how many times has Peyton Manning basically threw the ball to the other team with the game on the line? I mean the receiver might have ran the wrong route but he looked like he just said here's the game Saints and threw the ball to the defender. And then in the NFC championship game with Peterson fumbling x amount of times and Favre throwing that dumb pass at the end for an interception. Peterson hardly EVER fumbled during the regular season. Then this topic takes me back to the Patriots winning the SB after 9/11. Maybe just a coincendence right? I hope this is not the case and this is the reason College football is better than pro IMO. I know I may get thrashed for this post and it may even get deleted but this is a possibilty.

I'm not sure if this thread was started because you are an avid Colts fan and are against the Saints but for all the ones that are... and love Peyton Manning, Wouldn't this thread be a direct insult to Manning to say that he doesn't have enough integrity to turn down a payout. Anyone that knows Peyton, Even though I am a Saints fan, agrees that he is one of the best and is not going to throw the game away for money because he takes pride in what he does.

[roadwarrior]

C'mon...Peyton's pulling down $20mm+/yr with

endorsements for at least the next 5 years. If he

needed a $100mm he could borrow it with just

his signature!

Threats? Ya think President Obama would take his

call? How 'bout the Governors of Indiana, Tennessee

and Louisiana? At least six Senators, a handful

of Congressmen, U.S. Attorney General and the

Director of the FBI?

Ridiculous...

[Tokyo Tony]

At this point, I don't think anyone is saying that this past Super Bowl was rigged. It would be very hard to argue.

However, I think my strongest point is this: we have legal proof that at least some NBA games are/were rigged. That ref said he's absolutely not the only one. NFL refs have at least as much or more power over the outcome of a game that an NBA ref does. Is it impossible that SOME NFL games are rigged? No. Probable? In my opinion, yes, but you could argue it either way.

I don't think anyone can say that there's absolutely no way some NFL games are rigged.