East Coast Ethics

As an Indiana resident and longtime fan of the Indianapolis Colts, it has been gratifying to watch the New England Patriots sweat while under investigation for taping the defensive coaches of the New York Jets.

Unfortunately, fans of the Patriots have been less than crestfallen at the ethical breech. This absence of outrage originates in a fundamental east coast world view that rewards cheating and laughs off ethical constraints.

To me, Belicheck and Patriots quarterback Brady are the embodiment of “east coast ethics.” For the average fan of the Patriots, Bill Belichick must be commended for taping the opposing sidelines – he would be a “sucker” if he didn’t push the envelope.

Brady, the playboy, impregnates supermodels at lightning speed, but can’t seem to figure out why deliberately breaking a written rule of the NFL might be considered cheating.

Since he can’t deal with adults but still finds success in his occupation, Belichick is called a genius. Instead of genius, he instead gets by on cheating and intimidation. Ask brain-damaged former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson about Belichick’s commitment to his players. It ends the second you’re no longer useful to him. Belichick abstains from morality, in favor of expediency.

Picking up a well-known, team-splitting troublemaker like Randy Moss is no problem for the Patriots. As long as he produces on the field, his personality and his behavior are irrelevant. Adding one more spoiled apple to the oily, soulless bunch has no obvious effect.

The integrity-free exploits of Belichick and Brady stand in sharp contrast to the personas of Colts’ coach Tony Dungee and quarterback Peyton Manning. Regarded for their earnestness, ethics and work ethics, Dungee and Manning bring an old-school, midwestern personality to their team and to their state. That’s a personality that I can root for.