More Monday Night Football Shenanigans

Did anyone catch the ending of the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers game two weeks ago? I had no action other than my confidence pool but I was watching this game with a friend who did take the Patriots on the spread and think he got screwed along with everyone else who took the Patriots.

With just 3 seconds left in the game from the 18 yard line, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady fired one last shot to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The pass was intercepted but the official at the back of the end zone threw a flag for pass interference on Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly who clearly was impeding Gronkowski from turning to make the catch. After officials gathered for a moment they waived off the penalty and called the game over.

The part that makes it even more interesting is that the Panthers were 3 point favorites with more action on the Patriots. Final result, Panthers 24 - Patriots 20. Once again right down to the last play and the side with more action loses. Doesn't anyone notice this happen over and over and over again? Obviously they can't have every game come that close for suspicion but the high number of games that do is completely impossible unless manipulated.

Once again the NFL, ESPN and Vegas clean house.

The NSAC Does it Again at UFC 167

Time and time again the judging of UFC fights by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) appointed judges comes into question. Some fights are scored worse than others but when a major title is on the line like last Saturday at UFC 167 between champion Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks you need to be on your A-game. Watch the video of UFC president Dana White even blasting the NSAC for the recent decision in favor or St-Pierre. Dana is famous for saying, "don't leave it in the hands of judges" to his fighters and for good reason.

Cheating the Spread in College Sports

Many people ask if college sports are fixed as well. If you can gamble on it, you better believe it. There have been multiple point shaving scandals over the years in NCAA sports especially in basketball and football. With the amount of money college programs bring in these days and the corresponding television contracts these schools sign they have every incentive to win, create story lines and bring in high ratings. This is often done through point shaving, ridiculous officiating and more. On the other side of the ball, the athletes themselves are often tempted by bookies and others to point shave to earn a little money on the side or pay off debts since they do not get paid to play. A book called Cheating the Spread: Gamblers, Point Shavers, and Game Fixers in College Football and Basketball by Albert Figone touches on the shady side of college sports and the infamous fix. Pick up a copy and let us know what you think the next time you see a star college player mysteriously start missing easy shots or field goals.

Anyone Else Suspicious of GSP?

I know, innocent until proven guilty but I have to wonder if Georges St-Pierre is on the juice and I am certainly not the first to be suspicious. With just a week to go before his title defense against Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 on November 16th I thought this was a good time to discuss recent red flags. Initially the St-Pierre camp wanted to use an alternate drug testing company, had unusual testing questions and more that even raised the eyebrows of UFC president Dana White. According to sources at BJPenn.com both fighters originally agreed to be tested by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but oddly GSP's attorney asked questions like what they test for and wanted to have predetermined dates for testing. GSP's team then suggested using Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) but the Nevada State Athletic Commission even suggested the use of WADA. On top of that, according to Hendricks manager, Ted Ehrhardt, GSP has a connection with VADA. These are some very suspicious actions and questions from the GSP camp. GSP has passed a few tests already as seen in second picture above that he recently tweeted. People don't normally go out of their way to show they are clean which makes me even more suspicious that GSP is trying to hide something. Although we have to give him the benefit of the doubt, don't forget other sports MVP's have lied to the sporting world before only to be caught later on.

Larceny Games: Sports Gambling, Game Fixing and the FBI

After reading "The Fix Is In" by Brian Tuohy it might be time to pick up his follow up book "Larceny Games: Sports Gambling, Game Fixing and the FBI". His first book had some great points and plenty of examples of "the fix" in sports. If you have ever doubted the outcomes of sporting events then both of these books are must reads. Definitely looking forward to what new information he has to offer. If anyone has already read this please leave me your thoughts in the comment section.