"Deflate-gate isn't the only conspiracy theory that's making news in the lead up to Super Bowl XLIX (49).
Remember the odious 9/11 "truthers"? Those conspiracy minded loons who believed that the US government was behind the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11, 2001 that lead to the deaths of more than 3,000 Americans.
Well, there are still some of them around and this year the Arizona contingent of the 9/11 truth movement is making a public effort to support possible 9/11 truther and Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll in his bid for a second straight Super Bowl victory.
Speculation that Carroll might be a 9/11 truther started when reports surfaced that the head coach had met with retired Army Vice-Chief of Staff, Peter Chiarelli. According to Chiarelli, Carroll peppered him with questions about 9/11 and whether a plane had actually hit the Pentagon.
"I mean, he became an instant celebrity in the 9/11 truth movement because he's a dude who's obviously smart," said Danny Torgenson, a member of the 9/11 Studies and Outreach Group at Arizona State University. "I mean, he's a dude who just won the Super Bowl. He might win it again and I think that people can connect with someone at that level. They think, 'Wow. if this guy has that opinion, maybe I can have that opinion too.'"
Dude!
When asked as to whether he was still interested in the 9/11 truth moment at a recent Super Bowl press conference, Carroll admitted that he was.
"Well, I'll always be interested in the truth," said the coach. Yeah."
It's an odd reason to support a team, but this particular group of "truthers" have grown to view Carroll as the new poster boy for a movement that has met with little else but well-deserved derision and mockery over the last decade.
Another member of Arizona States 9/11 truth group, Steven Cohn used a football analogy to explain why Carroll is the new darling of the 9/11 truth movement.
"We definitely think that's what Pete Carroll is essentially doing is throwing a challenge flag on the official story that we've heard so far," said Cohn.
Sheesh!
So, if you're looking for a reason to root for the New England Patriots this Sunday, this would be it.
Hat Tip: USA Today