DATELINE:  A Blacklist by Any Other Name

The big why of Deflate-gate may become the conundrum of the century.

Why did the NFL choose to go after Tom Brady with such vehemence and passion? Was he a scapegoat? A stand-in? or a patsy of the Patsie Patriots?

The independent Wells Report now was handed over to the NFL office for editing before release. The independent report was paid for, bought and tailored to fit whatever Goodell wanted. Then, at the hearing, for good measure, the objective hearing was adjudicated by Goodell himself with his prosecutor on the payroll of Ted Wells, who was paid $3million to run up the charges.

Wells admitted under oath that he never alerted Tom that they were gunning for him with a large suspension for defending his privacy. Since the NFL leaked everything to suit themselves, Tom Brady decided to destroy his phone rather than risk having everything put out without a true context.

The NFL also leaked a false story through their agents at ESPN that the footballs were deflated below requisite psi, which was another lie. Thereby, Brady was excoriated in the press for months—and the NFL let him twist slowly in the wind, never issuing the truth, by means of a correction.

Roger Goodell is covered in the patina of stink. He is a power-mad egomaniac, the sort Ayn Rand once warned about. He is the epitome of mediocrity rising to the Peter Principle at work.

And, the NFL still felt it could cover up their dirty handiwork in a court they chose, but Judge Richard Berman has already crossed them by opening the secret room where the bodies are buried.

What kind of “deal” will emerge from this shameful episode of corruption at the highest level of pro sports?

The sad fact is that none of it will ultimately matter to fans who live in blissful ignorance.