New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been fined $50,000 by the league for touching an official following the conclusion of Sunday night's contest against the Baltimore Ravens.
Bill Belichick fined $50K for touching referee
After Baltimore place kicker Justin Tucker kicked a last second field goal to win the game, the quality of the call by the officials came into to question by the Patriots. As players, coaches and officials began to make their way off the playing field, Belichick was seen grabbing the arm of line judge Esteban Garza, which many assumed would draw some kind of fine.
On Monday afternoon, Belichick explained his actions by stating that he tried to get the officials attention in order to discuss whether the play was going to be reviewed. After failing to do so, he reached out in an attempt to have a conversation with him.
Belichick contended that he meant no disrespect by his action:
“I’ve coached in this league a long time and 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’m trying to get an explanation for obviously an important call [...] in that game.”
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