Placard at Patriots' Super Bowl parade mocks Deflategate

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Feb 4, 2015

Fans of the New England Patriots and all of Boston's sports teams are not shy about boasting when their squads succeed. That fact was reinforced on Wednesday when the Boston Herald chose a couple of aggressive options for their placards to be handed out during the Super Bowl following the Patriots' win over the Seattle Seahawks.

• UCLA recruit Soso Jamabo is excited about more than football

The use of "One Finger to Go" is something that shouldn't be surprising. New England has four Super Bowl titles in the last 15 years, and with the "one for the thumb" movement used in other sports previously, this was a slam dunk. However, "DEFLATE THIS!" is so excruciatingly Boston.

This type of in-your-face insult to the rest of the NFL world may be warranted in this case, and it certainly should not be unexpected. The Patriots managed to win without even the hint of impropriety in the Super Bowl, and with how dominant New England was in the AFC Championship Game, it is easy to see how fans would be ready to pound their chest.

The Herald is playing to the crowd here, and the paper can't be discredited for that.

• Brutus Buckeye has some signing day fun with Jim Harbaugh

- Brad Rowland

GALLERY: SI'S BEST PHOTOS FROM SUPER BOWL XLIX

SI's Best Photos from Super Bowl XLIX

Malcolm Butler intercepts a pass intended for Richardo Lockette to prevent the Seahawks from scoring a would-be winning touchdown in the final minute.

Malcolm Butler's first career interception gave the Patriots their fourth Super Bowl victory in the past 14 years.

Butler's teammates congratulate him for making the game-saving pickoff on a second-and-goal play from the one.

New England coach Bill Belichick gets a Gatorade bath.

The Patriots celebrate their thrilling last-minute victory.

A victorious Tom Brady was named the game's MVP.

Tom Brady put the Patriots up 28-24 with this three-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edeman with 2:02 remaining.

Julian Edelman was a thorn in the Seahawks' side all night, catching nine passes for 109 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

After falling behind by four in the fourth quarter, Seattle got a 31-yard pass to Marshawn Lynch to get into Patriots territory.

Just as the New York Giants got a miraculous catch by David Tyree in their Super Bowl upset of New England, Seattle got one from Jermaine Kearse that gave the Seahawks first-and-goal at the five with a little over a minute to go.

Kearse kept his eye on the ball and batted it around three times before pulling it in.

Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler was the defender covering Kearse on this 33-yard completion.

Chandler Jones celebrates one of the three sacks of Russell Wilson.

Danny Amendola scores on a four-yard touchdown to pull New England to within three points of the Seahawks, 24-21.

Unheralded Chris Matthews was the star for Seattle, catching four balls for 109 yards and a touchdown at the close of the first half.

Matthews hadn't caught an NFL pass before Sunday's game.

The Seahawks passed up a field-goal attempt with six seconds left before the half and Matthews rewarded them with this scoring catch.

Matthews' catch tied the game at 14-14 at the half.

Earlier in the first half Matthews caught a 44-yard pass against Kyle Arrington.

Matthews' catch against Arrington set up a three-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch that made it a 7-7 game.

Marshawn Lynch finished with 102 yards on 24 carries and this lone touchdown. The Seahawks questionable playcalling in the closing minute denied him the chance to score a likely game winner.

First-year Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell caught one of Tom Brady's four touchdown passes.

Seattle got a touchdown-saving interception by Jeremy Lane in the first quarter but he left the game after injuring his left forearm on the return.

Lane's injury forced Tharold Simon into the game as a replacement and he was the defender on three of the Patriots four touchdown passes.

Lane tried to cushion his fall by extending his arm.

His interception was one of two Seattle came up with against Tom Brady.

Logan Ryan prevents Jermaine Kearse from catching a pass.

Tom Brady equaled Joe Montana with four Lombardi Trophies and three Super Bowl MVPs. He was 37 for 50 for 328 yards against the NFL's top-ranked defense. (Text credit: AP)