“The NFL is rigged” is a story that is spreading like wildfire. A number of sports analysts and fans have since dismissed the rumor because of its unfeasibility. However, it hasn’t stopped people from having their fair share of fun. What’s more, even NFL players seem to be joining in on the fun. New Orleans Saints Alvin Kamara is one of the latest in the long list who are chipping in on the rumor.
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This trend of NFL players fuelling the rumor started when former running back Arian Foster confirmed the rumor while on the ‘Macrodosing” podcast. He says, “That’s what practice was about—it was about practicing the script … It’s like WWF—we know what’s going to happen, but you’ve still got to put on a show.”
The joke came apart when a co-host asked, “What did you think when you got the script in 2016 that said your career was gonna fall off a cliff when you stopped believing in God?”. Foster, amidst the rest of the room chuckling, quipped back, “That was 2015.”
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Since then, a number of athletes have joined in on fueling this rumor. A number of them posted on Twitter, agreeing in some fashion with Foster’s words while including their own reactions to reading the script. Including Kamara, who straight up declared he wanted to walk out of the facility after reading the script.
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Analysts and commentators dispel rumors of the NFL rigging games
The average Joe may find it difficult to not believe the NFL could be scripting games to up their viewership. However, those who have been a part of the game for so long have a different idea. Many believe the NFL is not rigging games. In fact, it cannot risk the consequences that will follow if a scam was unearthed, potentially ruining a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
What’s more, the gains from rigging a few games seem to be minimal. Especially when betting on games is only legal in a few states. Added to that, the number of people who must be an inseparable and loyal part of this scheme is truly unrealistic. Especially the players, who are definitely not all going to sacrifice their careers just because the NFL asked them to.
The league will surely be looking at the reasons for such an allegation, given its reach. The single biggest cause, as they will find out, is the poor job officials have been doing while calling fouls. Granted, they are human beings and are prone to making mistakes. However, in this era of digital and technological innovation, mistakes will be met with severe consequences.
Moreover, mistakes cannot plague not just the critical games, but any game. As teams become more equally matched, errors from the referees are proving to be the deciding factor in a game. Hopefully, the NFL is watching. It is time they come up with a solution. Especially to help referees not get bullied for mistakes that can be prevented.
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