Super Deception?
In the wake of last week’s Super Bowl, discussions have surged online regarding the legitimacy of the NFL and whether games are being rigged. These allegations are not new. Years ago, I wrote a column about friends who genuinely believed all professional sports were f ixed. At the time, I dismissed the idea, as I couldn’t fathom how a team sport could be rigged without everyone knowing. However, in today’s era, where sports betting is accessible on smartphones and millions of dollars are at stake instantly, I find myself reconsidering.
Recently, I watched a 2002 YouTube interview with NFL Hall of Famer Bubba Smith, who played in the legendary 1969 NFL Championship game, the first branded as the “Super Bowl.” The mighty 12-1 Baltimore Colts of the established NFL faced off against Joe Namath and the underdog New York Jets from the upstart AFL. At that time, no AFL team had ever won a championship, and many believed it never would. However, Namath’s bold guarantee of victory over the dominant Colts captured media attention. The Jets stunned the world with a 16-7 upset, a moment some believe set in motion the Super Bowl money machine that has grown exponentially since.
In that interview, Bubba Smith plainly stated that the game was rigged, and he realized it immediately after the final whistle. He suggested that quarterback Earl Morrall intentionally threw the game, speculating that it was done to fuel the NFL-AFL rivalry and establish the Super Bowl as the financial juggernaut it has become. The video remains available on YouTube. Bubba Smith passed away in 2011 (RIP).
Last week’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas presented some eye-opening statistics. An estimated 330,000 people visited the city, yet only 61,629 attended the game. Despite this, it was one of the most expensive Super Bowls in history, with an average ticket price of $8,400. Unsurprisingly, sports betting on the game shattered previous records. Online platforms like FanDuel reported a staggering increase, with bets totaling 14 million—nearly $100 million more than the previous year.
As online gambling becomes more widespread, these numbers will likely quadruple in the coming years. The sheer volume of money flowing into the industry raises concerns that, if not already compromised, professional sports may soon face irreparable corruption.