Rutgers Finest Solidify Win For The Patriots, And Belichick Becomes The Most Polarizing Figure In My Life

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2015/01/bill_belichick_turns_patriots-ravens_postgame_press_conference_into_a_rutgers_infomercial.html

NJ.com- This was an actual exchange during Bill Belichick's press conference following the thrilling 35-31 victory for the Patriots, and it's as if Rutgers had sent a video crew to Foxborough to make a recruiting DVD.

Q. Can you talk about your Rutgers kids?

A: They've played well for us, they really have. Of course they were in a great program there with Coach [Greg] Schiano and they were well coached at Rutgers. They've worked really hard here. Nobody's worked hard than Duron and Logan have in the last two years they've been here. Literally when the season was over last year, these guys were in a couple days after the season starting on this year back in, it was still January. Devin (McCourty) is obviously one of our hardest workers and has great leadership and character. I'm proud of all those guys and I'm sure Coach Schiano and the Rutgers program is too. They stepped up today [and] made some big plays for us.




​Despite being a man of many a written word, I am a man of very distinct and steadfast opinions. A simple man, you might say. Someone that either likes, hates, or is completely neutral towards pretty much everyone. That's why Bill Belichick is quite possibly my kryptonite. Don't get me wrong, I hate Bill Belichick. As painful as it is to say, I hate him because he's great. I hate him because he wins. I hate him because he is the most boring person on earth. I hate him because his personality is as dry as his wife's private parts. He's flatter than a four week old fountain soda. As monotonous and emotionless as a person of his power could possibly be. As charismatic as a mute on life support. Completely sapped of any excitability, which goes in defiance of his unparalleled will to win and dedication to success. 

That will to win, as well as a personal connection to Rutgers (his son played lacrosse and long snapper there), has led to him drafting countless players from the University. So while every fiber of my being wants to hate him, I can't help but respect him. I can't help but admire the exposure he has given to the Rutgers football program. Make no mistake, people may detest the man clad in a cutoff hoodie, but they take notice of his ways. When the coach of a franchise as successful as the New England Patriots has such a long resume of Rutgers allegiance it is impossible to ignore. It's impossible for other general managers and coaches not to notice how productive and prepared Rutgers players are. It's impossible for recruits not to be aware of how Rutgers, if nothing else, prepares you for life in the NFL. It's impossible for the support of one of the greatest football coaches of all time to not directly enhance the credibility of your university. 

So while I choked back the vomit taste as Bill Belichick and company once again walked out of a playoff game victorious, I couldn't help but be proud of Rutgers' alumni Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon. Two players whose interceptions proved vital to a Patriots win, the latter icing an appearance in the AFC championship game, save for a miracle Hail Mary attempt that McCourty once again proved significant on. I couldn't help be proud of Logan Ryan, another Rutgers' alumni that made a handful of plays and has worked his way into a being a productive NFL cornerback. I can't help but be proud of Tim Wright, a former Rutgers' wide receiver that has developed himself into a reliable weapon at tight end.

As Bill Belichick, a man of few endorsements, waxed poetic about his nearly all Scarlet Knight secondary and the university from which they hail, I truly didn't know how to feel. It felt like your  main adversary giving you high praise. It felt like a sworn enemy hitting on your girlfriend without realizing it. It was complimentary and loathsome all at the same time. It made me want to smile. It made me want to cry. It was like watching your best friend marry a girl you truly detest. You're happy for him, but sad at the situation. At the end of the day, my rooting interests take major precedence over my hatred of any sports figure. Anything that is good for Rutgers university is good for me. Despite his overwhelming banality, if Bill Belichick's advocacy of the Rutgers' program helps, in part, to get even one player of significance, I can suppress my animosity towards him. But I would be lying if I said it felt right. At the end of the day, it may sap me of my soul, but I realize these players still bleed Scarlet and wish them the best.