Keller @ Large: Patriots Haters Are Just Envious
BOSTON (CBS) - Under the heading of words you never thought you'd say, I agree with Kevin Costner.
After pro quarterback turned TV sportscaster Troy Aikman shared his opinion that Tom Brady is lying about his non-involvement in Deflategate, Costner publicly chastised Aikman, remarking in typically eloquent Hollywood style that to call a man a liar that way was "a difficult ledge to stand on."
It's hard to believe that Aikman is so consumed with envy for Brady. Aikman is a wealthy Hall-of-Fame quarterback with as many Super Bowl rings as Brady, and just as much hair.
But envy is a powerful impulse. It's one of the seven deadly sins for a reason.
And there's no doubt it has become a major part of sports culture in our country.
The Patriors are hardly singular objects of fan envy, otherwise known as hate. Ask the Yankees about that. As Mike Royko once put it: "Hating the Yankees is as American as pizza pie, unwed mothers, and cheating on your income tax."
I'm pretty sure basketball fans outside of New England got sick of the Celtics winning every year in the 1960s. I know Bruins fans envy/a.k.a. hate the Canadiens.
And Red Sox fan attitude toward the Yankees prior to 2004 was pure envy, expressed in our own eloquent vernacular.
So, we get it about the charge that the Pats cheated, for which zero evidence has surfaced in the past week.
It's envy of the Pats' success and of Boston sports success in general, especially compared to the losers in the lower 44.
Or could it be they're just envious of our good looks?
Listen to Jon's commentary:
You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.
