Is There Any Body Left We Can Trust?

Posted by Jeff Sack on September 13th, 2007 filed in Opinions

 

I am writing this column on Thursday night September 13, 2007. I am angry right now, angry and heart sick! I feel betrayed, I feel dirty, I feel violated! I got into the Sports Media, after attaining success in a totally different field in 1995, I had to start all the way at the bottom as an intern. Why did I give up monetary success and esteem in my field to start all over again? Because I have been in love with Sports since I was a child, my earliest memories are of Fenway Park and Boston Garden. But right at this very moment, it seems that instead of covering the idealistic ”World of Sports” that I thought existed as a child, it seems like I am in the middle of a cesspool, that just keeps getting more grimy and disgusting every day! 

Thursday night word came down from the NFL Offices, as Commissioner Roger Goodell released his statement on the controversy surrounding the New England Patriots. As I am sure you are well aware of by now, a camera man credentialed by the Patriots had his camera confiscated during the game against the New York Jets Sunday at the Meadowlands. Initial reports were that the video inside was of Jets defensive coaches giving signals. After the game before any of the New York players knew anything about this they said to reporters, it was if Brady anticipated every thing that they were going to do.

Wednesday New England coach Bill Belichick issued a statement saying that he had spoken with the Commissioner about the incident. He then said that there may have been a misinterpretation of the rules, alluding that the misinterpretation was on New England’s part. He apologized for the circus like atmosphere surrounding the team, and said he would issue a further statement once the NFL Office made their ruling.

Thursday night the ruling was made, Goodell had decided that the evidence was overwhelmingly stacked against the Patriots. The Commissioner has fined Belichick personally, $500,000 and the team an additional $250,000. They will also lose a draft pick next April a first round pick, if they make the playoffs, a second and a third round pick if they don’t. Commissioner Goodell said he weighed very heavily suspending Belichick, however this was his response  “I have determined not to do so, largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension.”

Sorry Commissioner I disagree vehemently! At the very least Bill Belichick should be suspended for the balance of the 2007 season starting this Sunday against the San Diego Chargers! And to be perfectly honest with you I would not feel you were being too harsh if you banned him from the league for life!

Up until Monday I have always been a great admirer of the job Bill Belichick has done in New England. He took a franchise that at one time was the joke of the league, and made them a dynasty! But was it legitimate? When did the cheating start? Against the Rams in the first Super Bowl? All of a sudden all these memories have been taken away from not only me but every New England Patriot fan on the planet! What do we believe, was any of it real?

I remember when the Boston Patriots played in Fenway Park. I remember Babe Parilli, and Gino Capalletti, Jim Plunkett, and Carl Garrett, Leon Gray, and John Hannah. I remember the Billy Sullivan years grieving for Darryl Stingley when his spinal column was crushed. I suffered through the Victor Kiam years, the threats of moving the team to ST. Louis and then to Hartford. And I rejoiced thinking the day would never come when the Patriots won their first Super Bowl!   

But right now, it just feels dirty, I want to take a shower as soon as I am done writing this. And for that I will never forgive Bill Belichick. As heinous as what Michael Vick did, it did not effect his integrity on the field. In my mind this is all about integrity, and credibility, the only two things in the world no one can take away from you, except yourself.

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