In the era of big data and advanced analytics, it’s easy to believe that numbers don’t lie. The NFL’s big data complex, which includes Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus, has provided us with a wealth of statistics and metrics to evaluate players and teams. However, it’s important to remember that numbers can be deceptive, and statistics can be framed in a way that obscures the truth.
Take the case of Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback. On Christmas Day, Hurts scored his 15th rushing touchdown of the season, surpassing Cam Newton’s record for most rushing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback. On the surface, this seems like an impressive feat. However, a deeper analysis reveals that Hurts’ season has been wildly inconsistent. His interception rate has doubled, and his deep ball accuracy has regressed. Furthermore, many of his rushing touchdowns have come from the 1-yard line, vulturing goal line scores from the team’s running back, De’Andre Swift. Hurts’ numbers may be impressive on the surface, but they don’t tell the whole story.
This is not an isolated case. Throughout sports history, there have been instances where statistics have been misleading or framed in a way that obscures the truth. For example, in the 1972 Olympic basketball final between the USSR and the United States, the USSR was given three chances to replay their final possession due to a malfunctioning clock. On the third attempt, they scored the game-winning basket as time expired. This controversial victory is still viewed as a disgraceful shamockery in Olympic history. The numbers may show a win for the USSR, but the circumstances surrounding the victory cast doubt on its legitimacy.
In the NFL, there have been cases where records have been called into question. Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record, for example, has never been surpassed. However, there is speculation that Strahan’s record was aided by Brett Favre intentionally going limp in the final seconds of a game to allow Strahan to get the sack. Even TJ Watt, who matched Strahan’s record in 2021, is considered by some to be short of the actual record due to playing in a 17-game season. Al “Bubba” Baker, a rookie for the Detroit Lions in 1978, had 23.5 sacks in the NFL’s first 16-game season, but his record is not officially recognized because the NFL did not begin officially tracking quarterback sacks until four years later.
Even in college football, there have been instances where records have been called into question. The infamous 225-0 victory by Georgia Tech over Cumberland in 1916 is often cited as the ultimate desecration of a program. However, it’s important to note that Cumberland had disbanded its football program a year prior and only fielded a team for this particular game to collect a “money game” check. The victory may be a record, but it’s a record against a team that was not a legitimate opponent.
Even the legendary Hank Aaron, often considered the true home run king due to Barry Bonds’ association with steroids, has an asterisk on his own resume. Aaron is credited with playing in 25 MLB All-Star Games, but he only played in 22 seasons. This is because MLB hosted two All-Star Games in four seasons between 1959 and 1962. While Aaron’s record for most career RBIs and extra base hits is widely recognized, his record for All-Star Game appearances is not without its asterisk.
Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide how much weight to give to these asterisks and contextualize the records accordingly. They serve as reminders that numbers can be deceptive and that statistics should not be taken at face value. The truth is often more complex than what the numbers suggest.
