New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $50,000, the NFL announced Wednesday, for “impermissible physical contact with an official.”
Belichick grabbed the arm of an official as they were leaving the field after Baltimore kicked a winning field goal at the end of Sunday’s game. On Monday, Belichick explained that he wanted an explanation as to whether the kick, which appeared to sail above and just inside the right upright, was being reviewed.
“I’ve coached in this league a long time,” Belichick said Monday. “I’ve never been penalized, never had any incidents with officials or anything like that. I have never meant any disrespect or in any way tried to abuse or be disrespectful to the officials and the job that they do. I was trying to get an explanation for obviously an important call/play in that game. That’s the No. 1 thing between coaches and officials, it’s always at the forefront, just communication of what’s going on and what’s happening.”
Before the fine was announced, Belichick said, “Whatever the league decides to do, I’ll respect.”
