The game was all but over after the Patriots' desperation fourth down pass, and Bill Belichick ran onto the field to congratulate Tom Coughlin on the Giants' impending Super Bowl win. Tom Brady went back into the locker room.
But there was still one second left on the clock, and referee Mike Carey instructed everyone to clear the field to run the final play. It was a kneel-down by Eli Manning.
But as Manning took the snap and cradled the ball in his arms, exulting in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, Brady and Belichick were in the locker room.
Bad job by them.
I know it's a crushing blow to lose the Super Bowl. But you need to show some sportsmanship and stay on the field until the game is over. To leave beforehand, even though there's only one second left, just isn't right. You stay to the end, and then you move on. And what if, on the admittedly remote chance that there is a fumble on the play, the Patriots recover and run it back for the winning touchdown. Again, next to impossible, but that's why you play to the final gun.
I thought it was disrespectful of both men to leave early. They, of all people, should have known better.
Comments (9)
Thanks for posting this Bob. Remember last year when the new LT said that they were a classless organization and it started at the top. He took a lot of heat from that comment, but he was right.
Not only is it proper sportsmanship for the coaches to shake hands after the game (at least we did get that), but it's also proper for the two quarterbacks to shake hands after the game.
A side note, last year's championship coach Tony Dungy is one example of winning and losing with class.
I'm probably the biggest BeliCheat hater there is, but I think this is being blown out of proportion.
As a head coach BeliCheat should have stood with his troops till the clock showed 00:00, but I see his escaping to the locker room more as a way to dodge the mobs of people who descend upon the field after the Super Bowl than as any disrespectful statement.
Either way, let's celebrate the victory and remind our N.E. brethren that 18-1 is nothing to be ashamed about :-)
The NFL needs to add a "Throw In the Towel" rule, that allows the Head Coach of either team to "surrender" with less than 10 seconds to play. While I agree that it would have been better for Bellacheck to return, with all his players, to his sideline for the one kneeldown, it sure was a nonsensical requirement to have that last snap. It was a done deal. Let the celebration begin.
B N G, CC:
Maybe I'm being too finnicky on this one, but it just didn't seem right. Can't say as I've ever seen that before. I know there's a mob scene on the field, but it never seemed to bother them when they won the game.
Of course not... but Belicheat didn't win, and are you really surprised he acted this way? While there's no lack of sportsmanship, there may be a show of cowardice. Again, is that really a surprise?
I listened to the entire post game BeliCheat interview (ON Mike and the Mad Dog this PM), man that guy is drier than the Arizona desert.
I tend to agree with you, but thought the whole scene, trying to get that one second off the clock, was stupid. Took away from the moment a bit.
(Not to be finicky, Bob, but you spelled finicky wrong.)
I was disappointed in them also. They needed to be out there, not only congratulating the Giants, but continuing to lead the team by demonstrating sportsmanship. It was as if they forgot how to behave when you lose a game.
It was a great game to watch, and the Giants truly earned the win. I would have been happier if one of those last desperate Brady passes had hit its mark... But kudos to the best team on the day.
That move by the Patriots was weak, weak, weak. Be a good loser. You didn't win 19. Grow up, be men and be gracious.
You cant win with the media. A-Rod yells "Ha" and slams a glove away, he has no sportsmanship. Kevin McReynolds hits a Home Run and doesn't smile, he has no enthusiasm.
Eli throws for four interceptions and doesn't throw a hissy fit, so obviously he doesn't care.
Yet Bellichick is so distraught heleaves immediately, and he's a sore loser.
Stop trying to make these people who they aren't. Let them be.
Oh and btw...I guess Plaxico's comment fell into the maybe not catagory on whther that would be the reason the Giants lost. Now Bob you must go the other way and say maybe it was the reason they won. I mean look at it. Brady mouths off with "Only 17 points." Maybe that got the Giants fired up. And maybe Plaxico thought, I better get open and catch this ball because I made this prediction.
I mean its obvious the Super Bowl itself didn't hold enough motivation, so I think had Plaxico said nothing the Gaints D wouldn't have cared and Plaxico wouldn't have tried to get open. Right??