Tailgates, buzz-worthy commercials and half-time performances are Super Bowl traditions, yet another tradition has seemed to make its way into the Super Bowl zeitgeist – the scandals. Over the past decade it seems like there is some big paparazzi, TMZ worthy moment which makes its way into the festivities and its all America can talk about at the water cooler for a few days. Here is our Top 5 Super Bowl scandals.
5. Ray Lewis Deer Antler Spray
According to Sports Illustrated, the iconic Baltimore Ravens linebacker tried to obtain deer-antler velvet extract in an attempt to speed the healing for a torn triceps that sidelined him for more than half the season. Lewis emphatically denied it when asked during Super Bowl Media day.
4. Spy Gate
This scandal erupted earlier in the season when the New England Patriots were accused of illegally videotaping signals of opposing coaching staffs. Belichick and the Patriots were fined, lost draft picks and had to apologize. They went on to have an unbeaten regular season and the scandal faded by the time Super Bowl XXLII arrived. But, on the eve of the game a Boston Herald report cited ex-Pats employee Matt Walsh hinting that Belichick authorized him to tape a Rams practice walk-through before Super Bowl XXXVI. The source of the accusation proved to be shaky at best, but the damage was done as it gave the media and late-night comedians a treasure-trove of material.
3. Black Out
Put this one in this conspiracy theorist file. During Super Bowl XLVII between the Ravens and 49ers, with the Ravens up 28-6 on their way to a blowout the lights went out in the New Orleans Superdome – for about a half hour. There is no question that the 33-minute delay derailed the Raven’s momentum. After the blackout was fixed the 49ers mounted a come back which led to the final drive being the deciding factor. There is a question as to whether the power outage was orchestrated. Ray Lewis of the Raven’s (See Scandal #5) thinks so. During an interview with NFL Films for “Americas Game” he stated “I’m not gonna accuse nobody of nothing — because I don’t know facts,” Lewis said, according to USA Today’s Nate Davis. “But you’re a zillion-dollar company, and your lights go out? No. (Laughs) No way.”
2. Wardrobe Malfunction
This scandal didn’t deal directly with the game, but did add to the spectacle. In 2004 at Super Bowl XXXVIII Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake performed a duet at an MTV produced half-time show. All was well until the finale when Timberlake ripped off Ms. Jackson’s top revealing her bare breast covered by just a nipple-plate – and a new buzzword was born – “wardrobe malfunction”. The world was mortified – why we don’t know given all those ED commercials that aired that year!! Both artists apologized; MTV was banned from producing another show and CBS fined. The winner in all this? Sir Paul McCartney who performed the following year, as he was deemed a wardrobe malfunction free choice.
1. Deflate Gate
This year, it seems anyone can talk about is the latest accusation of cheating against the New England Patriots. In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Pats have been accused of deflating 11 of 12 footballs used in their victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game. This being the second time (See Scandal #4) the organization has been involved in a cheating scandal, coupled with some questionable denials has many calling foul. We just love Jimmy Kimmel’s take on it all. Click for some real laughs.
