People have no idea how to read, or, Don Shula gets no resepct

Before we start asking questions like: "did Don Shula throw fuel on the Patriots' fire?" or "is Don Shula an old buffoon?" it might just be more helpful to ask: Did Don Shula say anything about the Patriots deserving an asterisk?

Let's peek at the quote:

"The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished," Shula said in an interview with the New York Daily News. "You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it."

Belichick was fined $500,000 and the Patriots were fined $250,000 and lost a first-round draft pick for videotaping the Jets' opposing sideline during the teams' season-opening game.

"That tells you the seriousness or significance of what they found," Shula said, according to the Daily News. "I guess you got the same thing as putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds' home run record.<

"I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No. 1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

Now, let's break down everything Shula says:

"The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished," Shula said in an interview with the New York Daily News. "You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments. They've got it."

Here, Shula starts by what seems to be a statement of opinion. However, he follows that immediately with a universal statement about not wanting something negative (being caught videotaping other teams) connected to something positive (beating the hell out of the rest of the NFL). He is not saying anything implicitly negative about anyone at this moment.

About the fine and the draft pick:

"That tells you the seriousness or significance of what they found," Shula said, according to the Daily News. "I guess you got the same thing as putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds' home run record.

Now I understand this is difficult to do, but if you read the quote, you'll realize that he still isn't saying anything about what he thinks the Patriots deserve. He is simply saying what will be there. He doesn't say "I guess you've got to put an asterisk next to the Patriots like Barry Bonds" or anything else that implies doing something negative to the Patriots. He is saying that there will be a mark on the Patriots season - and there will be. Anytime something negative happens to your team (and losing a first round draft pick is sort of negative), it will not be remembered fondly. It might not be as big as the mark on Bonds, but he it sure seems like he was relating this event to current events rather than calling the Patriots a bunch of cheaters.

Finally:

"I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No. 1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

Once again, he is not saying anything attacking the Pats or recommending a punishment. He is saying that people will remember that they had these negative things happen to them during this amazing season - and people more than likely will. Not out of spite or hatred, but out of simple memory. You will think back on this season and say "Yeah that was a great season. Didn't they have some kind of controversy that season too?" He even goes so far as praising Tom Terrific.

Furthermore, it's Don Shula. Dude beat my Vikings in the Super Bowl the year after that season, and even I can realize that he's to be respected.

Or at least respected enough to read his damn quote.

(P.S. Some more evidence that there was no implication of the Patriots from Shula: when the story first went on ESPN.com, the title said something to the tune of "Shula: Patriots deserve asterisk". The headline now? "Shula: If Pats go 16-0, spying spoils feat"- and that's still too harsh.)