Patriot's Coach Fumbles the Ball of Life?

Bill Belichek has won 3 Superbowls in the last 6 years. A genius by any account when it comes to football. And here we have the scandal of his life brewing. Cameras in the press box taking pictures of the other team's signals? He's caught red-handed. Is this what the genius coach will be remembered on earth for: as a cheater?

All's fair in love and war is the old saying. In war, the British broke the enigma codes with the Americans during WWII against the Germans which helped turn the tide of the war. We celebrate the heroic cracking of codes in war precisely because war is an issue of life, death, and freedom.

Football is neither about love or war; nor life, death or freedom. Its a game with rules meant to entertain us all on an even playing field. Yet, our age has watched the Barry Bonds, Sosa's, McGwire's, Ben Johnson's, (allegedly Lance Armstrong), and countless others wrecklessly abandoning integrity and honor for the easier road of cheating - just to get the slight advantage.

All men are created equal. But not all men forge character through decades of living. Can any of us imagine Tom Landry or Don Shula pulling a cheating stunt like that of Bellichek's?

Its far too easy to chalk this event up as just another incident of overzealous coaches or players looking for an edge. Though it is over-zealotry. It is also cheating. It is wrong. And now it must be explained to our children, our athletes, and aspiring coaches why Belichek's actions are wrong, even if the man had never been caught.

Courageous parents who believe honor and integrity are more important than winning at all costs will do the following:

We tell our children that breaking the rules (cheating) like Coach Bellichek is wrong. Your child will ask the proverbial question: "Why is it wrong?"

The only answer that carries any merit is as follows:

Son, cheating is wrong on tests, the football field, or anywhere else because you were created in the image of God. Therefore, your life in His image should reflect, not cheating, but honesty and integrity. Your mission on earth is to honor God through your life. This is true, son, even if it means you won't win the Superbowl.

To the rest of us adults the corollary that should follow-

To the man who climbs, cheats, and swears his way to the top:

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

If Mr. Belichek searches his soul before God, he would likely give up even his treasured Superbowls to regain the integrity and character that has been lost which will mark him for life.