Is anything more representative of the modern incarnation of "Rick Reilly" than the notion that the accuracy of a quote is an issue of belief?

One man's view. It's a terrible vehicle and I would be glad if they never built another single one.

Sure, the shirt pull isn't why he falls. Their legs tangle, which isn't a foul. Balotelli doesn't dive. If that were all that happened I say it's a terrible call. Their arms tangling, their legs/hips bumping and both falling...that's normal course and speed.

You aren't allowed to pull an opponent's shirt in any direction. Just like you aren't allowed to kick the back of him whilst he is running away and avoid punishment by claiming you were, "just helping him along."

They are both grabbing and holding and they both fall. From that point of view it's a bad call. I wouldn't call it a dive though, I really don't think Balotelli can be faulted for the ref making a bad decision.

Could these be cases (like penalties going left or right) where strategy A or B is dominated by a strategy that mixes A and B based on a percentage then a randomization variable?

Take away the incentive to delay the game with certain stalling tactics like the 91st minute sub and the "injured" player who pops back up after 60 seconds of looking like dying and you may increase instances of other stalling tactics.

Why not all live forever and never age?

I was thinking the same. Easy to look good and rack up assists if Ronaldo is putting them away.

It really is poor. I genuinely enjoy a lot of Greg's writing, but this belies a real lack of knowledge/experience. Alan Parry's voice ought to be familiar to anyone who has watched Premier League games over the last decade. I get the angle you're going for Greg, but the facts don't support it. NBC is taking the…