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Sadly, the head coach of the Patriots, Bill Belichick, does not reflect the class and professionalism exhibited by his players. Belichick is a spineless, gutless turd, and he conducts himself in an unprofessional manner that often embarrasses himself and his team.
If any of you watched HBO's Inside the NFL last night, you saw Bob Costas rip Belichick a new one, questioning Bill's professionalism and conduct especially around members of the media. Costas trashed Belichick for his half-assed congratulations of Peyton Manning after the Colts won the AFC Championship Game. Costas later went on to cite Belichick insulting Solomon Wilcotts, and his surreal post-game press conference where the man looked as if he was going to break down and throw a hissy fit. There was also the incident where Belichick assaulted a cameraman after New England's victory over the Jets in the playoffs. Yes, that was assault, folks. When you take a man, grab him, and throw him out of the way, that's assault. Belichick does that on any street corner in America, the dude he shoves decks Bill and knocks him out cold. Belichick did it to a cameraman because he knew the cameraman wasn't going to retaliate. The cameraman didn't. He acted professional. Belichick didn't.
I know the excuse Patriots fans will make: he lost and he's upset. I'd be upset if I lost, and so would you. I like the fact that he was pissed. It shows fire! Take this excuse from a Belichick apologist over at AOL Fanhouse:
No, I don't expect Belichick to start singing Manning's praises or name his next kid Peyton Elisa Belichick. I expect Belichick to act like the friggin' professional and not an 8-year-old who just lost a kick ball game on a playground. In pro football, there is always a certain degree of losing that comes with the territory. You are going to lose. You shouldn't like losing, but, at the same time, you should conduct yourself like a professional when you do lose. How many times have Dungy and Manning stood up before the press and handled dumb question after dumb question with class after a loss? After all those heartbreaking loses in Foxboro, Manning always made it a point to congratulate the other team. He always stood there and answered every question as best he could.
I find it amazing that the same people that tolerate Belichick's behavior are often the same people that berate guys like Shawn Merriman for his "Lights Out" dance, or Terrell Owens for his antics.
Bottom line here, Belichick's attitude and his antics have shown him to be nothing but a gutless punk. He's like a bully, and after he gets slapped in the face by one of the kids he's bullying, he runs away crying into the sleeve of his gray hoodie. I do not question his coaching or his ability to win games. I question his character. Most fans would say character means nothing. Only wins matter. Belichick can do what he wants because he wins.
Sorry. Not true.
Ohio State's Woody Hayes is not remembered as a winning head coach with a long tradition of football dominance at Ohio State. He's remembered for his antics at the Gator Bowl in 1978, when he struck a Clemson player after he intercepted an pass. The incident got Hayes fired. Belichick hasn't done anything like that, but he is getting close. When you don't conduct yourself with class, history has a way of remembering that more than any number of championships you won.