Monday, February 06, 2006

Mafia rules the Superbowl

I stayed up to watch the Superbowl last night. An annual jaunt into Americaner that I attempt - made easier this year due to the hollibobs booked off the day after (which allows for a 3am support of a very lengthy, advert punctuated game).

However, this is my last year.

To anyone who's seen The Last Boy Scout and other movies that touch onto American Football, it's full of high stakes, cheerleaders, huge moneys, cheerleaders, bit of chucking a ball up and down a field, cheerleaders and bets made on 'the spread'.

The Spread is an American system of betting. Win big lose big.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. The spread was against the Seahawks and so the ridiculous calls and 'yellow flags' against the seahawks in the first half of the game meant that they did not take the commanding lead they should have done, and lost the impetus of the game. Team psychology kicked in and when the Steelers went ahead it was a difficult battle to fight back.

It was a number of terrible decisions that were made by the referees, dissallowing a touchdown, shifting the ball so they lost inches, yellow flags a plenty. It felt as if the refs were making sure the Seahawks didn't get a toe hold on the game thus ensuring that when the tide of the game turned Pittsburgh could take full advantage.

It was as if the Mafia was pulling the strings in the background, ensuring that a great game was never going to lose them money.

I'm very jaded with the whole thing. That it seemed so obvious to me means others must have seen it to. Money corrupts, f'rsure, but where is Bruce Willis when we need him (The Last Boy Scout). Sheesh.

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