Bill Belichick found he had the losing lottery ticket in his hip pocket. He also saw a follies display by the NFL refs not seen since Florenz Ziegfeld put on shows in the 1930s.
The NFL, apparently picking on losers this week, fined Mr. Belichick an amount equal to one of the minor referee's annual salary. He grabbed a referee trying to flee the stadium like Krakatoa was about to explode.
Perhaps there is some correlation between the fury of a historic volcanic explosion and an angry Bill Belichick.
In fact, coaches' fines and penalties may pay for the raise in pension, part of the original asking package of the locked out zebras. They got what they wanted.
The NFL has blundered into a blind catastrophe.
Confession is good for the soul, unless you are Roger Goodell in the NFL. When the going gets tough, the NFL greed-masters get going: negotiations with the striking referees are back on the front burner.
After Belichick was issued his punishment of ten Hail Marys, he apologized and hoped his team would never be in the situation of throwing in the final seconds ever again.
Soon the obscure men who gained notoriety on the gridiron for several weeks will return to their burrows and warrens. They took the money and ran before the lynch mobs and necktie parties were in equal number to Super Bowl parties.
Whether damage irreparable has been done to the season only the final standings will tell.
