The New England Patriots were caught in a controversy last year when they were caught stealing signals using electronic means that violated league rules. The team reportedly videotaped defensive signals from the New York Jets coaching staff who were their opponents at the time. NFL security officials were able to seize a camera and videotape from the team’s video assistant, who was thought to be recording the Jet’s defensive signals on the sidelines. Visual evidence confirmed the suspicion of this act.
The Patriots have been suspected of similar incidents in the past, although it was not proven until said incident. They were severely penalized for doing so and have spoiled their name for cheating in the National Football League. But the past is over and the Patriots are acting together, hopefully. Now the team is focusing on playing their games with clean ballast, they have another incident similar to last year that made their image look really bad in the NFL.
As part of their community involvement this year, the team is supporting the Patriot’s Place coat drive for Christmas. Patriot Place retailers collect winter shores for fans’ poor and homeless children in the remaining games of the New England Patriots regular season. Patriot Place runs this community campaign to benefit Cradles to Crayons. The team is encouraging fans to donate a new or slightly used children’s coat on game day.
The team knows that fans warm up with layers of clothing before coming to the game and would like everyone to share a portion of their blessings by bringing a children’s coat that will keep the child warm and safe during the winter season. Fans can drop down coats that are suitable for babies up to 12-year-olds.
The local charity Cradles to Crayons is in charge of distributing these coats to homeless and low-income children. Cradles to Crayons is a charity whose efforts are focused on meeting the needs of poor and homeless children from birth through pre-teens. These needs are the common need a child needs to be safe, warm, and valued.
The Patriot Ladies are driving the event by donating hundreds of coats that were collected by Patriot players, coaches and their families. Free admission to The Hall at Patriot Place is one of the incentives for donating a coat. Aside from this, Patriot Place retailers offer discounts and prizes for those who donate coats for this particular endeavor.
With the community involvement that the New England Patriots are displaying, the ugly marks of the past will eventually fade from people’s memories. Cheating is not good, but if the team is willing to change the way it plays its game by playing fair and abiding by the rules, everything will be fine. As for strategy, the Patriots have something to show their fans, it’s sad they had to resort to cheating last year. Hopefully they have reformed their ways and continue to participate in the community to improve their image.
