I remember how frustrated and distraught I was when the Eagles were defeated by this team and QB in 2005. It took the Pats ten more years to win it all after that day.
Their cheating operation was discovered and, boy, was I surprised. This situation went to Congress where Arlen Specter torched Goodell for burning the incriminating evidence on the Patriots. Not only did the Pats cheat, but Roger Goodell denied the American people closure. He denied this country the truth.
I lost all respect for the Patriots. I am not one to disrespect great teams. I respect the Giants, despite the rivalry. They are winners and they did things the right way. The same cannot be said about the Patriots and Tom Brady.
In a league full of lying and deceit, the Patriots are the most brazen and unethical. Their political affiliations are no surprise to me.
Fast forward to today, and you see Tom Brady and the Pats circumventing the cap via Brady's TB12 Sports Therapy company, a vendor used by the Patriots without public disclosure. The Pats are also benefiting from their prestige, a prestige ill-earned.
I feel this should all contribute to Tom Brady's legacy or his candidacy for the title of "GOAT."
It is not salt, for there are many teams who win like the Pats. Even teams that have beaten Philadelphia teams in heartbreaking ways. The Blackhawks are a dynasty worthy of respect even if they destroyed my hopes of seeing the Flyers win a Stanley Cup.
The Patriots are legitimately criticized, and Brady's legacy is worthy of the tarnish this level-headed NeoGAF poster applies.