I agree with this. While I don't think it is happening on a large scale (at least I hope not), knowing human nature and how the rich often think they can get away with murder, and often do things incredibly stupid that risk their fortunes and very lives, I do think it is possible. If the mafia/Vegas is behind it, I could easily see it happening. They threaten to break some legs, have family members disappear, and people do what they want.
Fixed or not, tonight I feel bad for fans of the Detroit Lions. Not the Lions, who suck, but the fans who have to endure games like that.
They don't fix games, but refs are terrible and decide way too many games these days. Both the Lions and Patriots games were god-awful from an officiating standpoint. The facemask penalty that wasn't, in the replay you can see one ref in perfect position and he didn't throw the flag. Why didn't he consult with the other ref and pick up the flag? He was the only guy who could see the play, yet he doesn't say anything.
What do you want him to say? "Pick up the flag. He only sorta kinda got his face mask, and I thought it was iffy so you should too"? Overall, I agree that the NFL's second biggest problem is directly related to its biggest problem. The players are now much too fast and strong for their own skulls, and for the refs. Edit: sorry, third biggest problem. Yakuza is first.
This thread is too long. However, I have it on good authority that Ryan Quigley is a Mafia underboss.
