Could be.

Back in April, nobody seemed to think Michael Vick was in any real trouble. Now the Falcons are offering up a lost season. ESPN’s Greg Easterbrook reports there might be even more coming down on the Patriots.

Today, Belichick and New England are trying to pretend the scandal is over. It would not surprise me in the slightest if, before the season ends, Belichick resigns, or is suspended, or is fired by Kraft, or even is permanently barred from the league. Belichick’s head might be necessary to preserve the integrity of the game. Surprisingly soon, sacrificing Belichick to save professional football might seem an attractive option, even to Kraft. Remember, there is no law of nature that says the NFL must remain popular.

I offer my advice for those alarmed at the fall from grace across the major league sports:

There’s a lot of good junior hockey, even in the states. I loved watching games in this league, attending 15-20 a year when I lived in Iowa.

College athletics, especially non-revenue sports, or non-scholarship football or hoops is also a great way to go.

Minor league baseball is also an excellent alternative. I can bring my family to one of this team’s games for what I’d pay for parking and one ticket here.

If you really want to search you can find great baseball played by traditional rules. If you like Mass in Latin with the priest’s back to you, you might love this brand of the game.

Better yet, you can just take your kids to the park and do it yourself.

Cheaters, dog-killers, gamblers, and hot-head referees: who needs them?