I watched Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017. I have no problem with the teams playing. Having played football into college; I have a problem with the play call on the last play in regulation.
Fine you have a tied game and seconds left until overtime begins. The Patriots line up in a kneel down formation, OK fine. It is a regular play, but just like unwritten rules in baseball, this has the unwritten understanding in football: If the defensive line fires off into the offensive players on the other side, then the defense is making an egregious assault on the norms of the game. fine here, unwitten rule, offense not fined, here, Until…
The Patriots line up and run the ball out of this formation for an inconsequential gain at the end of regulation. Every time Belichick and the Patriots line up in Kneel Down formation, there will be no more line man standing up and shaking hands. There will be defensive linemen firing off and nailing the offensive linemen for one last time. Because of this stupid call.
ChaSch 