Friday, January 13, 2012

10-Year-Itch


Yeah, Raider Nation, it's been 10 years since the NoFumbleLeague shafted us in the playoffs, launching Tom Brady and the Pats dynastic rise. 10 years since the infamous "Tuck Rule" was called in a playoff game. Just 10 years ago, the Oakland Raiders were embarking on their return to greatness, winning the AFC West division for the second year in a row and on their way to a second straight AFC Conference title game.

Few are talking about the Tuck Rule anniversary during these 2011 season playoffs. And we Raider fans know exactly why; it's one of the most conspiratorial, league embarrassing moments in the history of NFL playoff games. The reverse call by referee Walt Coleman and the review booth was so far-fetched that players, analysts, fans and Osama Bin Ladin himself were perplexed, as all rushed to the rule book to look up NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2.

Til this day, 10 years later, nobody understands how a rule such as this ever made it into the rule book. Also, til this day no league official has apologized or admitted that the fumble should not have been reversed. 10 years and the injustice still stands, glaring at us like an innocent prisoner falsely convicted.

So this is the 10 year anniversary of a game where not the players but the league officials got caught with their pants down on national television; CHEATING. The anniversary is important because unlike the Immaculate Deception, the Brady Fumble was seen on primetime television with all eyes and cameras focused on Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson knocking the ball out of Patriots QB Tom Brady's hands, causing it to fumble onto the frozen Foxboro turf.

We should remember that infamous moment if for no other reason than to see to it that such a crime as blatant as the Tuck Fumble never happens again in football or any other sport. Ever!

Yes Raider Nation, IT WAS A FUMBLE!

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