NFL investigating incident involving laser pointer aimed at Tom Brady during Patriots-Chiefs
If this happened to the Chiefs in Foxborough…
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: Tom Brady of the New England Patriots looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady of the New England Patriots looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The NFL is investigating a matter of the Patriots getting an unfair advantage ... used against them???
Video emerged online from the Pats' 37-31 win over the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game that appears to show a laser pointer being aimed right in Brady's face as he drops back to make a pass. Via William Joy of KMBC in Kansas City, you can see a large green beam being waved right in Brady's eyes. It doesn't look like the typical tiny red beam you see in most laser pointers, but there's certainly some kind of funny business going on here.
Laser pointers are expressly prohibited inside Arrowhead Stadium. It's a wonder how a fan was apparently able to get past the metal detectors with one.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told the Boston Herald that the league is "looking into the report of the laser beam." A Patriots spokesperson, meanwhile, had no comment but said that they are aware of the reports regarding the laser pointer.
Obviously, it didn't affect the outcome of the game for the Patriots, who won on the strength of Brady's perfect 5-for-5 throwing performance on third down in the fourth quarter and overtime. It's just indicative of the different reactions you get to a story like this. It goes without saying that if the roles were reversed and Patrick Mahomes had a laser beam shined in his eye in Gillette Stadium, there would be more than just a minor investigation going on. The "LaserGate" stories would write themselves.
Ultimately, it's best for everyone to just move on from this thing. And for Arrowhead security to do a better job with laser pointers in the future. And to hope that there's no monkey business of this kind in the Super Bowl between the Patriots and Rams.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
