Being Belichick

ACQUIRE as NEEDED (daily) December 28

Monday Night Football

I just flipped on the Blazers at LeBrons game to see the clock run off the last second, the score of Portland 115 - 107 Los Angeles and King James halfway down his runway to the locker room. It was good camera work by NBCSNW. There were four other games in the Association tonight. Hawks beat the Pistons, Grizzlies over the Nets, Jazz squeaked by the Thunder and the Rockets lost! Denver hosed them by 14. Though I did not watch or listen to any of these games, I won't seek highlights, I didn't enter any daily fantasy lineups and this is the beginning of the season, the outcome of these games is important. More important still is the stat line for my season-long fantasy teams' players.

Tonight, however, I want to address the Sith Lord of the NFL. I must warn you, I'm a bit of a Bill Belichick apologist. I have often subscribed to the mantra, "If you're not cheating, you're not trying." I rooted against Belichick's Patriots for 20 years as I'm inclined to support the underdogs. Belichick's and Brady's collective success was as sickening as it was impressive, but I think I always secretly admired Bill. Over the years, it became less secret as even my bride and kids called me out on it. Tonight, I watched the Buffalo Bills embarrass the Patriots' Bill: 38 - 9. A few weeks ago, after s 24 - 3 loss to the Rams, Bill was questioned about his team's QB going forward. Belichick replied, "Great question, Mike. I'm really glad you asked that--- Yeah, Cam's our quarterback." His tone carried the sarcasm you would assume.

I bring that up because Bill was asked similar questions tonight and he avoided or refused to answer them. He's already answered these questions and his track record shows that he isn't fond of answering questions more than once, if he's fond of answering questions at all. I believe, like others, that he does the media interviews because he's contractually obligated but makes it rather clear that he'd rather not. He's proven that he can enjoy the media relationship but, for the most part, he's curt, succinct and blunt. These are skills perfected over time to give him an edge over the opponent- not unlike the way he competes so completely in game preparation. His focus seems admirable and the results are unquestioned. While his morals and ethics have come into question regularly and many of his victories are scandal-ridden, Bill Belichick appears unflinching. In some ways, he reminds me of the reluctant hero Clint Eastwood became so good at embodying in almost all of his movies.

Bill Belichick may be hated by many, condescended by most and tolerated by the rest, but he's been consistent. His past is checkered and his successes have asterisks in the eyes of many. Tonight, a phone suffered his wrath, but it's not like it's the first time we've seen Bill lose his cool pratting about the sideline. In spite of it all, I think he embodies what we all desire to attain- comfortable in the face of criticism. However scrupulous or perverted we may be, we all desire to live unashamed. I've written a column about the crippling properties of shame already. Being Belichick is unabashedly, steadfastly staying the course, whether win or lose. Consistency and constancy are separated by logic and intelligence. He will continue to have one goal: score more points than his next opponent.

I, too, will practice consistency unabashedly. I will continue to have one goal: make disciples of Jesus Christ. “Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as shrewd as a snake, inoffensive as a dove." -Jesus (From Matthew 10 in the Message) This is bakesHere.

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