Day 269: Integrity...

Sure this might come off like a rant about football but it goes much deeper than that.  If any of you happened to catch the football game last night between Green Bay and Seattle or caught the highlights this morning, like I did, you'll be blown away by what happened.  The short version - offensive receiver pushes the defender out of the way, wraps his around around the other defender who clearly intercepted the ball, placing his hand on the ball and by virtue of the ineptitude of the referees was granted a touchdown and victory for his team. 

I know many people who aren't sports fans will look at the play and say, "So what?  It's just a stupid game."  And you know you're right, it is just a game.  Forget the fact there are millions of dollars involved in these "games".  The real issue for me is the lack of integrity.  The inability to do what's right regardless of the circumstances.   Rules experts will argue that protocol was followed.  Granted the call on the field was wrong, but everything else was done by the book.  That just goes right to the issue I've had for years and that is just because something is "legal" doesn't necessarily mean it's right.  

Integrity is a commodity in short supply.  To see and know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up for what is right, who does that any more?  Surely not the NFL, it's commissioner, the owners nor the officials.  They've sat back for months and have knowingly and willfully done nothing to right this wrong.  Certainly not Golden Tate, the Seattle coach, players nor their fans.  It was shameful to watch the "victors" so delusional, believing in their hearts they won that game.  What happened to that sense of honesty and integrity that would come forth and declare, "Hey, that was just wrong."  I've seen my 49ers win a couple games here and there on some questionable calls and as a fan felt ashamed that they didn't win it on merit but rather on the stupidity of the officiating crew.  

Is it really that hard to do the right thing?  I guess when you become numb to the guilt and shame associated with manipulating, deceiving and lying in order to succeed, doing the right thing is of no consequence.  Once you've gotten to that point, you no longer can consider yourself human.  I'm not upset over the outcome of a game but rather by the lack of moral courage of those that are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the game.  The measure of ones integrity is not determined by the size of their wallet nor the title they wear but rather by their actions and the actions of those involved yesterday's game are speaking volumes.