Controversial Episodes of the New England Patriots

The winning history of the New England Patriots also has episodes that have generated controversy, due to the 'shenanigans' that have raised questions about some of their victories.

In the latest cases, two of the most important figures of the 'Pats', Tom Brady (quarterback) and Bill Belichick (head coach), were involved.

Here are the most controversial episodes of the 'Pats':

The 'Snowplow Game' against the Dolphins

In 1982, the first controversy of the Patriots occurred when, during a regular season game against the Dolphins, the field was covered in snow and the score was tied at zero. In the last quarter, when New England was close to a field goal, Ron Meyer, the head coach at that time, requested that the snowplow enter to clear the area where John Smith was going to kick.

With the field goal, the 'Pats' won the game against Miami. After this action, the rule changed for the following year.

The 'Tuck rule'

What could have been a fumble turned into a play that led the Pats to the AFC Championship game and subsequently to the Super Bowl, as when the score was 13-10 in favor of the Raiders and with a little over two minutes on the clock, destiny changed for the Oakland team.

Tom Brady, who was the protagonist of this play, was tackled by Charles Woodson, causing him to fumble. Greg Biekert recovered the ball and the Raiders had secured a spot in the AFC Championship game.

However, the referees, not being sure about the fumble, reviewed the play and gave the ball back to Brady and his team, sealing their victory and their ticket to the 2002 AFC Championship game after defeating the Raiders 16-13. This was the beginning of the Patriots' dynasty as we know it.

The 'Spygate'

The New England Patriots and their current head coach, Bill Belichick, were fined $500,000 and $250,000 in 2007, after being found guilty of spying on their opponents since 2000, a situation that became known as 'spygate'.

According to a report from ESPN's Outside the Lines program, the 'Pats' would have recorded 40 games of their rivals, which were destroyed by NFL executives.

The 'Deflategate'

The latest of the controversial cases involving the New England Patriots was the 'Deflategate', in which the figure of the 'Pats', quarterback Tom Brady, was involved.

On January 18, 2015, the AFC Championship game took place, where the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7. A day later, it was reported that the winners would be investigated, as some of the balls were deflated.

The Indianapolis team reported this situation through their head coach, Chuck Pagano. However, the 'Pats' won the Super Bowl that year. Months later, it was revealed that quarterback Tom Brady was aware of the 'Deflategate' case.

The punishment was a $1 million fine for the New England Patriots, while Brady was suspended for four games, a sanction that he appealed in June.

In September, the resolution was released, where Richard M. Berman said that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had exceeded with the suspension, overturning the punishment. This allowed Brady to play the first game of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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