[vincesanity82]

As the final second ticked off the clock on Super Bowl XLII, Bill Belichick was already off the field.

Admittedly, the game was effectively over. New York simply had to kneel on the ball one time to officially put the upset onto the Wikipedia page, but it's still poor form that the head coach of the losing team couldn't be bothered to wait out the final snap.

Obviously Bill Belichick doesn't care what I, the media, or even every fan in America thinks. He does things his own way, which means lots of wins and also Spygate. But if Patriots fans sometimes wonder why Belichick is the NFL's most hated coach, it's the little touches like leaving the field, even though he knew there was still one play to be played, that stick in everyone else's mind. When Randy Moss did the same thing a couple of years ago, he was rightfully castigated. It's 10 times worse for the head coach to do it.

Belichick Should Have Stayed on the Field - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

[Lefty Noob]

Is it possible he just didn't realize? He defense didn't get back on the field for the final play until after he was gone. Or perhaps was unsure how to handle, having already given Tom Coughlin his postgame handshake? Or maybe he didn't realize that the NFL was absurdly going to force them to run one more play, even though it clearly was going to be a kneel down to end the game anyway. There's a lot of possible factors here and only the man knows for sure why he left when he did.

[Lefty Noob]

Yahoo! Sports blogger MJD is letting him have it, too.

"There's time left on the clock, his team's been humbled, outplayed, and lost their chance at history ... and Bill Belichick doesn't have the stomach to sit there and absorb the pain until the clock read 0:00... That's unsportsmanlike at best, disrespectful at least, and at worst, it makes him a big sissy."

If he's going to lose, Bill Belichick would rather be elsewhere - NFL Exper... - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

[legend]

And he couldn't care less.

[LSC9901]

Sadly for him this is one of the memories many will have about him. The 18-0 season will be somewhere else down the list of Belichick highlights.

[Phils20]

Maybe I need to read the stories, but I just don't see the big deal. I am no Pats fan, but I'm not gonna rip the mans every move. There was one second left, he did his congrats, and he jogged off the field.

I guess I just don't see the point. I don't think all the players of either team were really paying much attention.

Why din't we rip secuirty for not maintaining the field? That would be smarter.

Thankfully for me the season is over!

I'm ready to talk some Racing!

[Bette]

Got to go with Lefty on this one. Unless someone is a mind reader, we dont know why he left when he did.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Maybe I need to read the stories, but I just don't see the big deal. I am no Pats fan, but I'm not gonna rip the mans every move. There was one second left, he did his congrats, and he jogged off the field.

I guess I just don't see the point. I don't think all the players of either team were really paying much attention.

Why din't we rip secuirty for not maintaining the field? That would be smarter.

Thankfully for me the season is over!

I'm ready to talk some Racing!

I think we all expect him to be a more cordial coach but it was obvious that from the beginning his personality is far from that of many others. During his 18 wins everyone ripped him for the way he acted and now when he finally accomplishes what many wanted they are still mad at him !!!!!

It's who he is. Live with it. I'm a Pat's fan and I don't care for his personality but it sure isn't gonna change my life. It's over and now I move onto the Celtics (who have Ainge and I don't like him) and racing and sure enough there are people there I don't care for ..... but I don't allow any of them to get my shorts in a wad

[bears9]

Yes he should've but to be honest I'm not going to throw a fit because he didn't.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

He conceded the win, he shook hands, and he walked away...big freakin deal...

...but he also pissed off the league all year long and they are going to stick to him now...

...so poetic justice I say.

[Lefty Noob]

The only problem I can see anyone having with this is that he walked out on his team. Left them to their own devices for the final play.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

The only problem I can see anyone having with this is that he walked out on his team. Left them to their own devices for the final play.

True. But Bill has always felt above the team, no? I mean he preaches team work, but some past players have always felt that it was about Bill and management and glory...not about the players as a team. So its within his character.

[ThePundit]

What was worse was how he handled himself in the post game press conference. He's such a classless person. You don't have to be giddy, but show some humblemness.

This made my year. What even made my year more was the 7, 3 box I had and hit the 2nd and 3rd quarters!

[vincesanity82]

maybe he had to go pee real bad? Shows you you why hes the most hated coach, shows no class, of course this is nothing new..would he have jetted off early if they won?

[Geechee843]

it doesnt matter why he left. the point is that he left. coaches shake hands after a game. he SLITHERED off the field with time on the clock and wouldnt have stayed for the handshake if the ref didnt make him come back