Reputation

As the television news shows fill the air with stories of “DeflateGate” and the New England Patriots, I can’t help but feel that the team’s and Coach Belichek’s chickens are coming home to roost. Or St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Church at Galatia almost 2000 years ago, “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Certainly, the pounds of air pressure in a football has little real importance in the world beset by war, poverty, economic depression, and climatic disasters. Nevertheless, the episode is a classic example of the power of reputation.

 

As a casual football fan, I have always enjoyed the professionalism of New England quarterback Tom Brady and I believe that Coach Belichek will be lauded as the most successful coach in the history of professional football when he finally hangs up his whistle. Over the past decade, New England’s five Super Bowl appearances and 2 World Championships are unmatched.

  

So when it comes to winning, there is no doubt that the Patriots and Belichek are at the top of the heap.  However, when it comes to being counted amongst the greatest of teams and coaches, there may not be the same consensus amongst fans and observers. One of the main reasons is that as good as their record has been, fans everywhere are convinced the Patriots and their coach are cheaters. As good as Coach Belichek is with the Xs and Os of the game, he is clearly uncomfortable in front of the media, often impatient and bellicose. As a consequence of pushing the envelope on rules and being unapologetic about their actions, the team and coach have no reservoir of good will or trust in the public arena. In other words, no fan outside Massachusetts is willing to cut them any slack.

 

The image of the New England Patriots as a team that plays fast and loose with the rules began long before the present owner, coach, and quarterback were with the team, but has continued with several questionable incidents since:

 

The SnowPlow Game. In 1982, during a game between the Patriots and the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots coach Ron Meyer directed a snowplow operator to clear a space on the snow-covered field for placekicker Johne Smith to kick a winning field goal. Despite complaints from Dolphins coach Don Shula, the NFL was powerless to take action reversing the victory since there was no formal rule in place. While Commissioner Pete Rozelle agreed that the action was unfair, the Patriots were unapologetic, even hanging the snowplow in their current stadium to commemorate the victory.

 

Videotaping Opponents’ Play-calling Signals. In 2007, the Patriots were caught videotaping the New York Jets’ play-call signals. Apparently a common practice of the Patriots, videotaping is clearly against NFL rules and led to a Patriot fine of $250,000, the loss of a first-round draft choice, and a personal fine of $500,000 for Belichek.

 

Deceptive Practices. In the game prior to the now infamous DeflateGate, the Patriots introduced a new offensive formation intended to confuse and deceive the opponents. While technically legal, many observers including the opposing coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens complained that they were not given enough time to determine which players were eligible to receive passes, and the tactic was unfair. The Patriots’ response was that their actions were within the letter of the law, if not the spirit.

 

No other team and coach seems to stimulate as much controversy as the Patriots and Belichek.  While they resent the charge of “cheaters”, they have no one to blame but themselves. While team officials insist that the loss of pressure in the footballs was more likely the result of cold weather, the track record of the team leaves some doubt and will continue to taint the outcome of their games.

 

Each of us defines ourself and creates  a legacy by the actions we take. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, we cross the line of good behavior and sportsmanship. Too often, our ethics betray us in the pursuit of a goal, whether a promotion, a sale or another reward. When we fail to  control our excesses or ignore their detrimental effect upon others, we create a stereotype in the minds of others that can last a lifetime. 

 

As you go through the days and years ahead, consider your actions and ethics. Are morality and honor simply outmoded concepts of a by-gone age or do they matter? What is your reputation?  Trust is an extremely fragile quality. Once it is lost, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to restore. 

ave no one to blame but themselves. Whether the loss of pressure in the footballs was more likely the result of cold weather as Coach Belichek claims or a nefarious act, the track record of the team leaves some doubt and will continue to taint the outcome of their games.