A War Crime Against the New England Patriots: What Was It and Why Do Fans Care?

A War Crime Against the New England Patriots: What Was It and Why Do Fans Care?

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The team New England Patriots has been part of enough big games to be witnessed and experienced by most of the team’s fans from miraculous come-from-behind wins to questionable calls. Then comes one specific very recent incident within one of the games, leaving most of the Patriots’ fans comment on that as a “war crime” against the Patriots. This outcry, in an emotional sense, is vast due to the sentiment that the game was not quite fair and has been so against the rule of the game in a sense that may spell severe issues about the players, as well as the integrity, of the game. Here we discuss what happened, break it down into elements of controversy surrounding the incident as well as detail what has made it have such outpouring from reaction.

The Incident That Sparked the Outrage

First, let us break down exactly what actually took place in that game, then we may begin to understand why these fans regard the game as such a “war crime.” During this point of the game when all else was in position, one star player from New England Patriots gets hit at an angle through one questionable play at which stage several had gotten totally enraged. This fact has come at a decisive moment as many said it’s hard enough that it transcended what is acceptable in the NFL.
This is what occurred: As the Patriots player stretches out for a play, the opposite team’s defender smashes him late and extremely aggressive. The fans freaked out on social media, and they called foul, and it was not really a surprise about some who made it a point to add, “war crime”.

Controversy over the hit

There are so many factors which contribute to the controversy over this hit. Let us discuss them at length:

  1. Unnecessary Roughness The hit was made after the play was over and the whistle had blown. Anything occurring after the whistle is unnecessary roughness according to the NFL rulebook. The hit seemed intentional and left an open Patriots player in a vulnerable position with the possibility of injury.
  2. Head Targeting: The other major issue was the way the defender targeted the head of the Patriots player. With strong concussion protocols by the NFL and greater consciousness about player safety, any hit to the head is seen with extreme caution. Not only are they dangerous but such hits attract heavy penalties too.
  3. No Flag Thrown: The blow was vicious; however, a penalty flag was never thrown on that field. As if this was already not enough that the fans went into a great debate. Quite a flagrant foul in NFL, many even questioned whether this was missed or just the wrong call by referees.
    Fans feel it is their “war crime

The term “war crime” is bandied about with hyperbole to describe what feels like a foul and perhaps even an injustice. That is how Patriots fans understood it, angry in that they believed it was a reckless and vicious blow to target a key player at a very important moment of the game. The usage of the term surely speaks well to just how frustrated and upset the Patriots fan base felt regarding the perceived injustice.

The Patriots under Coach Bill Belichick are pretty strategic and competitive too. Anything that would have detracted the team’s performance from being carried out is seen with more scrutinization, making this one very agonizing for the fans because it feels as though the integrity of the game has been breached.

NFL’s Response to the Incident

This is after the NFL announced it will review the play and take whatever action seems appropriate after numerous fans and commentators came out in opposition to the play. The league had been trending steadily better on the aspect of player safety with increased penalties on questionable hits, especially those directed to the head. Much hype is expected, and this will be the one case that serves as a pressure point for tightening the rules with the existing rulebook or embracing entirely new rules that ensure them protection against unnecessary risks.

Will the NFL Change Its Policies?

Indeed, the NFL has been active lately in guaranteeing the security of its players. Well, as a matter of fact, that is what invites people to request much more action from the league in an endeavor to protect many of the gruesome tackles on the field. Such is being put at risk that hits to the head or where the whistle had already blown in, while there are others arguing for the directive of mass officials-coaching in their determination and sentencing.
How the Patriots Responded

After that infamous play, the players and coaches of the Patriots were spotted whining over the hit. Quarterback Mac Jones is a level-headed man who sounded shocked that the officials did not flag it as a penalty. More players also chimed in on the same issue of safety of the teammate, which calls for more accountability during a game.

However, the incidence can be used to reunite people together again to fight the same case and give the Patriots more power and will for future games.

Faq’s About the Incident

1. Why is this a “war crime” against the New England Patriots, the fans say?
That is saying the term “war crime” about how vicious it was and like a travesty concerning the football play is related to those feelings fans carry because, when they can determine, with those vivid NFL rulebooks at their sides, the two offenses that still werent called out within.

    2. What rules did the notoriety-obsessed hit breach?
    This translates to the primary infractions that were committed involved unnecessary roughness since the hit came after the whistle, and hitting the head area of the player, which the NFL frowns upon.

    3. Was a penalty thrown on the field?
    No, the referees did not throw a flag despite the clear infraction, which contributed to the widespread anger among fans and players alike.

    4. What is the NFL doing regarding this incident?
    The NFL will review the play with possible extra penalties that can be issued or modifications on the safety rules regarding players, according to the NFL.
    5. What does this say about New England Patriots future games?
    Even though the episode will be a blip, it can act as a stimulant for a team to show much vigor in games ahead. More importantly, it can galvanize officiating and better player safety of the NFL too.

    Conclusion

    While the call of this hit against New England Patriots was a “war crime,” surely an exaggeration, the outburst is absolutely understandable. This way, the National Football League has to protect the game’s integrity on the one hand, but on the other hand, protect the players from the dangerous and illegal hits that definitely abound in any collision. In such instances, viewers and enthusiasts alike are watching for the league’s responses to the controversy with action to be implemented in the future so it does not happen again.

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