Tom Brady is a lucky man.
While other NFL players dream of playing in the Super Bowl at least once, he already made the trip 10 times.
To further rub it in, he won seven of those, including three of the last four editions.
Chances are that he might add another Vince Lombardi Trophy given that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain intact after winning it all.
But with him looking like a mainstay in one of the biggest annual sporting events, theories of rigging in the Super Bowl come to light.
That’s all there is to it, however, because there’s no proof to back this claim.
Instead, here’s why Super Bowl rigging is a myth.
8 MVPs, 9 Super Bowl Titles, 🐐 🐐
Manning X @TomBrady | #PFHOF21 pic.twitter.com/7ej5k23PyK
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 8, 2021
Controversial Calls
Bad calls can always change the game’s complexion.
This is not to say that officials in the Super Bowl are immune from dubious penalties.
After all, it’s challenging to identify a game without at least one bad call.
As much as possible, the officials are calling the game fair and square.
But what about them getting bribes?
Don’t even get started with that claim.
Seriously, would they put their integrity and livelihood on the line in exchange for money?
Getting caught may lead to a lifetime ban.
But naysayers will point out the latest Super Bowl as substantial evidence for rigging.
On paper, it does look one-sided because the Kansas City Chiefs committed 11 penalties for 120 yards, while the Buccaneers had just four infractions for 39 yards.
Yet this discrepancy is easy to explain.
The Buccaneers dominated both sides of the trenches.
Tampa Bay has a solid offensive line with Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, and Tristan Wirfs.
They gave Brady time to execute plays with precision.
In contrast, that comfortable pocket made it uneasy for the Chiefs secondary to chase the Buccaneers receivers around the field.
Meanwhile, that defensive front of Tampa devoured the patchwork Chiefs offensive line.
No wonder Patrick Mahomes was running for dear life in several instances.
Going Through The Gauntlet
HAPPY 44th BIRTHDAY TO TOM BRADY 🎉
🐐 7x Super Bowl Champion
🐐 5x Super Bowl MVP
🐐 3x NFL MVP
🐐 14x Pro Bowler
🐐 Most career wins in NFL history
🐐 Most career TD passes in NFL historyAnd still going. Respect to the one and only 🗣 pic.twitter.com/33thxq0H8S
— Overtime (@overtime) August 3, 2021
Football is a team game.
Both offense and defense must perform at a high level to win the Super Bowl, let alone a postseason match.
Therefore, Brady is just one piece of the puzzle.
As with all Super Bowl-winning teams, discipline and focus are vital ingredients to success.
The New England Patriots consistently won even though they didn’t have flashy names on their roster.
Why?
Because they did their job and bought into what Brady and Bill Belichick preached.
Yes, the Patriots won six Super Bowls.
But each journey remained tough despite their experience.
Remember their comeback from a 28-3 hole to win in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons?
It does look like a Hollywood script but it was all grit.
Likewise, Adam Vinatieri had to drill last-minute field goals to clinch Super Bowls.
If not for those kicks, New England might have two fewer trophies.
None of those moments would be possible if they did not conquer challenges during the regular season and the playoffs.
Year after year, different teams surpass these tests and reach the Super Bowl.
That fairy tale narrative is impossible to rig.
Calling It Rigged Is A Disgrace
Players train hard to reach the Super Bowl.
They go through their daily grind in hopes of playing on the big stage and winning a title.
After going through the hardships, how would they feel if the Super Bowl is scripted?
Why do they have to work hard if the outcome is a foregone conclusion?
Consequently, why do coaches go through countless game tapes to map out a strategy against their opponent?
Because once you are in the Super Bowl, it’s either you win or you lose.
The players and the coaches settle the outcome.
With that, the only rigs in the Super Bowl are the ones that hold the cameras at various angles.
NEXT: Ryan Fitzpatrick Could Be What Washington Needs To Succeed