Throughout recent years, National Football League (NFL) critics and fans have sparked conspiracy theories about certain games being scripted or rigged. Many current and former NFL players have offered their opinions, sometimes sarcastically, on the matter. “That’s what practice was about—it was about practicing the script,” former NFL running back Arian Foster of Sports Illustrated said.
Many BSM staff members and students believe the NFL is biased and pre-determined. Some think that many teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, have won controversial games due to an advantage from calls made by the referees. “Some of the outcomes like in the playoffs, for example, the Chiefs should not be winning. But they are, so it’s definitely scripted,” senior football captain Nirvaan Yogarajah said.
Others believe that although the game has questionable moments, there is no script involved in the outcome. “I think sometimes things can get a little sketchy, but it’s just in big businesses and big corporations that make a lot of money. But I personally think that the game itself isn’t,” senior Marah Cashman said.
Overall, many wonder why the NFL would ever create a script for the season and Super Bowl. Is it to gain viewers? Is it to produce more income? Junior Kendall McGee believes the NFL is rigged based upon questionable reffing, and she reasons that the NFL wants more money. “I think price picks and betting on the games come into play and then also just not liking certain players or coaches on the teams,” McGee said.
These theories lead fans to dislike certain teams based on their success, believing the referees are a leading factor. Many wonder why these skepticisms have gained so much popularity. “There’s a lot of mistrust in organizations now, whether it be political or sporting related and people like to blame shortcomings on a systemic problem rather than the individual or the team’s problem,” BSM English teacher Paul Canavati said.
This season specifically, viewers believe the “Taylor Swift Super Bowl” was bound to happen from the start as a money grabber. “We’ve seen an abundance of theories, beginning with the attention Swift brought to the NFL as the media showcased her relationship with Kelce,” Leonard Armato in Forbes said.
Some of the BSM community are not bothered by Swift’s new popularity in the NFL but still tend to believe that it is not possible. “I think that’s just a narrative that’s come out of the whole thing. And that’s probably good for the NFL though to have her involved with the team. But no, I don’t think it’s rigged in her favor,” Canavati said.
Others are more vocal about their opinions against the idea as a whole. Many believe that the NFL has given Swift more screen time than necessary, taking the fun out of the football game. “I’m not a Taytay fan, so I hope that it isn’t true in any way,” substitute teacher Larry Grace said.