I have acknowledged my bias against the New England Patriots in the past. I root against them in this Super Bowl not because of any love for the Giants but because of my hatred of this team. Sports reporters regard Patriots head coach Bill Belichick as some kind of genius. Except for the constant reports of his cheating ways.
Back in September, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell levied the biggest fine of an NFL $500,000 on Belichick and socked the team another $250,000 after determining the franchise violated league rules by videotaping defensive signals from Jets coaches in the teams’ regular-season opener. The league also ordered the Patriots to forfeit either a first-round draft choice or second- and third-round picks.
Now comes news that the before the Patriots beat the heavily favored St. Louis Rams in the 2002 Super Bowl, Patriots personnel videotaped that team’s final walk-through before the game.
Belichick’s reputation has been that he’s a cretin of a human being but, at least, a football genius. How does his genius reputation survive despite evidence of serial cheating?