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Tom Brady fist-bumps Super Bowl ref and the Internet claims game is fixed

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady greets referee John Parry prior to Super Bowl LIII against Los Angeles Rams Feb. 3, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Credit: Patrick Smith

Credit: Patrick Smith

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady greets referee John Parry prior to Super Bowl LIII against Los Angeles Rams Feb. 3, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
By AJC Sports
Feb 3, 2019

New England quarterback Tom Brady walked onto the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Los Angles Rams and greeted a lot of people.

Among those was game referee John Parry and the Internet exploded with a familiar conspiracy: the fix is in, the Patriots will win Super Bowl 53.

Parry began his NFL officiating career in the 2000 season as a side judge. He became a referee in 2007.

Since 2007, he has officiated in seven games featuring the Rams, all won by L.A. — including the Rams’ Wild Card win over Dallas.

The Patriots are 9-5 in 14 games with Parry as the head official, that includes a 17-10 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 15 this season. Parry was the referee in one other New England Super Bowl, their 2012 loss to the New York Giants.

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