There’s something profound about two old adversaries becoming friends later in life.
Long after the bullets have stopped flying and the war is over.
When the hatred has dissipated.
The hot blood of battle has cooled.
And all that remains is mutual respect between worthy opponents.
(Until Napoleon escaped and took control of France again.)
My own beloved father-in-law fought in Patton’s infantry.
It’s a deeply beautiful thing when former combatants can lay down their arms and become allies.
But you know what’s even more profound and beautiful?
When guys keep that hatred going.
When the bloodlust survives the years and lasts even into their golden years.
That’s when you know it’s real.
And there’s no better practitioner of holding a grudge than Bill Belichick.
And of Belichick’s post-coaching career so far.
It proved that semi-unemployment hasn’t mellowed him at all.
And he has zero intention of going quietly into that good night.
“The TV broadcast skipped” is his story, and he’s sticking with it.
Probably to the grave.
Good luck trying to convince anyone this was just CBS' audio glitching:
Not a chance.
Why has this never happened at any other time?
In the literally thousands of games that were played before or since?
There would’ve been a nationwide state of emergency declared.
Emergency meetings of congress.
The UN Security Council would’ve convened to discuss an embargo of New England.
Belichick would’ve been dragged before the international court in The Hague and charged with war crimes.
For sure, no one would believe it was the broadcast’s fault.
Mike Tomlin accused the Pats of jamming his quarterback helmet communications.
So why should Irsay get the benefit of the doubt on this?
Who are we going to believe, a doped up lucky spermer, or our lying ears?
I know which side I’m on.
And I know that when a conflict like this rages on for eternity, we all win.
This is one Forever War I can get behind.
