The coach of the New England Patriots is too smug, too pompous, and too big for his own britches. I disliked his attitude with Eric Mangini's employment with the Jets (Belichick didn't want his former assistant to go within the Patriots' division) and the childish way he behaved when the two met before and after playing each other. Now Belichick has been caught cheating, and we are learning this is not his first time.
The Patriots were caught videotaping a game against the Jets, filming from the sidelines, which is against the rules. Apparently, this is not the first videotaping of games.
There are many things wrong with the whole episode. Why in the world would you cheat against a former assistant who knows you've cheated before? Did Belichick consider himself immune to the rules re-enforced via a letter on videotaping? For me, there are more critical questions. Why didn't Belichick's former employees report him earlier? Why didn't the Packers organization report him when they caught him videotaping last year?
I'm tired of hearing and reading the excuse that "cheating goes on in football."
Because it shouldn't. You don't report cheating because that is the norm? Have you seen the ESPN report on the downfall of Floyd Landis and Barry Bonds?
Cheating should not be happening in sports. We should not be letting it happen. Those who know and do nothing? They're part of the problem too.
Now the Patriots Super Bowls are in question. Tom Brady's reputation is tarnished. If we are going to put an asterisk on Barry Bonds and exclude him from the Hall of Fame, then we need to be asterisking these three Super Bowls and excluding Bill Belichick from the Hall of Fame.
The punishment he and the Patriots received was a slap. It was harsh, but it wasn't severe enough. Someone soon has got to step up to the plate and put an end to all the rule-breaking going on in sports, whether it's steroid use or videotaping the opposing team. We teach our kids sportsmanship at home. Who is going to continue to show them that when they get into the professional world?
As for the notion that everyone cheats, I don't believe it. You cannot convince me that Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning cheat. Maybe instead of the AFC and the NFC, we should have the Cheaters and the Non-cheaters. Those that want to cheat can be in a league of their own, and those players, coaches, and owners who feel cheating is all "part of the game" can be upfront about it. Wouldn't it be interesting to see which league fans would follow?
I'm disappointed. I'm angry. I doubt there will be changes.
As for Belichick and the Patriots? Did they show any regret? No, they went and beat the stuffing out of the San Diego Chargers the next week. So, what? Cheaters always win? Let's hope not.
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