The images speak for themselves:
The pro football world is a harsh reality.
From one wall to the next, from the weight bench to the basketball hoop.
No one is immune from having to prove themselves, every minute, every day.
In this metaphor, Bill Belichick is the undisputed Lifer.
The one the others fear and respect.
But even he doesn’t get a free pass from having to hold onto his OG status.
Which, in the unforgiving world of the NFL, is ancient history by now.
With a billion variables.
What if his team finished close to .500?
What if they just missed the playoffs?
Or made it in but got blown out, like in 2021?
What if there were extenuating circumstances, like some key injuries or terrible officiating costing them wins?
Which we’ve seen plenty of, by the way.
But there’s not a lot of ambiguity in 2-8.
And are beginning to accept it.
It’s the 1s & 0s on X/Twitter.
The imbeciles who call sports talk radio.
People in court-ordered Anger Management programs (though I repeat myself).
Then I’m going to even more sincerely but less kindly recommend you fuck all the way off.
What’s the motivation behind this?
Did the little man upset you?
It is because he was mean and sarcastic in his press conferences?
It it because he once ran up the score on Joe Gibbs and Marv Levy’s wife hates him?
Whatever your reasons, if this is your attitude, you deserve to be ostracized.
Inconsequential, and yet feeling they’re somehow entitled to all the good things in life.
Which is a terrible combination.
Unfortunately, it’s part of human nature.
Alexander faced it during the Opis Mutiny.
Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Babylonia; all belong to you.
You are generals and captains.
What have I held back for myself apart from this purple cloak and diadem?
No man can point to my riches, only the things I hold in trust for you all.
And what would I do with them, anyway?
I eat what you eat, I get no more rest than you.
Many times I have spent the night on watch so you’re able to sleep soundly.
Who among you believes he has worked harder for me than I have for him?
If youve got scars, strip and show them to me.
Ill show you mine.
There isnt one part of my body; the front at least that doesnt bare a wound.
Weve celebrated our weddings together.
Many of your children will be cousins of my own.
But since you all wish to go, then, all of you, GO!
Leaving him under the protection of the foreigners youd conquered.
But I fucking doubt it.
Not any men or gods worth pleasing, anyway.
By no means am I calling for all of this to end this offseason.
Just that if it does, it should be to a hero’s farewell.
With all the honors and accolades Belichick deserves.
It’s impossible to be so successful in today’s NFL for so long.
