Belichick tries to soften acidic image

ShareThis

Now that he's in the planetary spotlight of the Super Bowl, Bill Belichick is making nice, or at least what passes for nice in the world of magnificent obsession.Rather than simply refusing to answer questions he doesn't like, for instance, he says he respects the question -- in Monday's case, about cornerback Asante Samuel's impending free agency -- before refusing to answer it.He's even wearing a suit to news conferences rather than his famous gray hoodie, although it appears to be just the one suit. He does not want to go overboard, after all.In fact, Belichick's indifference to facade might be the most human thing about him. From all public appearances, his is a joyless pursuit of perfection, whether he is stiffing a former protege or shoving a photographer or being fined $500,000 for cheating.The most damning indictment of his priorities comes from former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson. A year ago, the former University of Colorado star accused Belichick of requiring him to resume contact drills in 2002 four days after a concussion knocked him out of a preseason game. Johnson said he appealed to a trainer, who gave him a no-contact jersey, but was overruled by Belichick.The result was another concussion and the beginning of a mental decline that has left Johnson, at 35, with all the symptoms of what forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu calls gridiron dementia.The most astonishing part of this episode is that it occurred in August, before the games even counted."If Ted felt so strongly that he didn't feel he was ready to practice with us, he should have told me," Belichick told The Boston Globe.The notion that it is up to a player -- not a doctor or coach -- to rule himself out following a concussion is so medically irresponsible as to take one's breath away.All coaches want to win, and many of the best have been characterized by a determination to win at all costs. The late Vince Lombardi was lionized for just that determination.Still, even among football coaches, Belichick's humorless and singular focus stands out. Denver's Mike Shanahan, who pretty much defines the term "workaholic," is at least occasionally known for other things -- say, bungee jumping in Mexico or hosting an annual charity golf tournament.Belichick, too, claims golf as a hobby, but good luck finding tales from those who engage in fun and games with him. As the Patriots seek to validate their claim to a dynasty and achieve the NFL's first 19-0 record, all this single-mindedness is considered a great asset."There's nobody that spends more time in that building than (Belichick)," offensive tackle Matt Light said of the Patriots offices.Two years ago, Belichick's marriage became a casualty. He was also accused of a different sort of cheating by the husband of a former secretary.If the joyless pursuit of perfection doesn't work, the results can be ugly. When Belichick was fired as Browns head coach in 1995, he may have been the most unpopular man in Cleveland. Five years later, when Patriots owner Robert Kraft hired him, former Browns owner Art Modell famously warned him, "You're not getting Prince Charming."Patriots fans couldn't care less. A fourth Super Bowl victory in seven years will put their team in a class with the Steelers of the 1970s, who won four in six. And with quarterback Tom Brady only 30 years old, there could be more.Belichick usually gives the impression his indifference to public opinion is exceeded only by his indifference to the fashion police. But the recriminations this year over particularly graceless behavior seem to have resulted in a certain awkward effort here to seem slightly less imperious. Even so, his public persona comes off as a textbook case of monomania.In fining him $500,000 for videotaping the Jets' defensive signals, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called it "a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid long-standing rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field."Queried by The Globe about Ted Johnson's complaints a year ago, Belichick said he had met with Johnson to clear the air. The coach's conclusion was that both men had made mistakes and moved on.Today, Belichick is celebrated as the second coming of Lombardi. He just signed a contract extension through 2013 estimated to be worth at least $5 million a year. Johnson, meanwhile, battles depression and a deteriorating brain function that is very likely irreparable.Belichick may indeed be the best football coach on the planet. He may also have redefined myopia in his pursuit of that title.And if his team wins, he will be glorified across the planet, which will only prove that his priorities are far from his alone.(Contact Dave Krieger at kriegerd@RockyMountainNews.com.)(Dave Krieger writes for the Rocky Mountain News at www.rockymountainnews.com.)