(photo from Boston Globe)Upon the undisputed revelation that the New England Patriots violated league rules and cheated by videotaping the defensive signs of the New York Jets during last Sunday's game, Boston Globe writer Jackie MacMullan wrote a column entitled: "You're too smart for this stuff, Bill."
When you live in New England, and you are introduced to someone for the first time, you will either hear about what schools they attended, or hear about how smart they are. This is true whether the person is standing in the room or not. Nothing is revered in New England like intelligence. Everything is connected to intelligence. Smart, and you are likely to be viewed as upstanding, moral, and a valuable asset to society. Stupid, or of below average intelligence, and you are likely to be viewed as suspect, less than moral, and a liability to society. Too strong? Perhaps.
But isn't it interesting that when Bill Belichick is caught flagrantly disregarding the rules to gain unfair advantage (a value and practice by the way, that is the cornerstone of modern American business) the first thing people think about, are confused by, is why someone so smart would do such a thing?
News to all New Englanders who believe intelligence makes you a more moral person! No Way! No connection between IQ and morality. Proof right here. No need to look any further.
I coached little league for 5 years. If I'd done what Belichick did, I'd have been kicked out of the league, the previous win would have been forfeited, and my team would have been banned from post season play. But my league had ethics, and more importantly, my league cared about the moral future of children. Not so with the NFL.
I've been following and rooting for the Pats since I was a child in the 60's. I've been thinking about the penalties handed down by the new commissioner - $750,000 dollars of fines, which would be like fining me one dollar. A first round draft pick to a team that already has the deepest talent in the league.
Boy, those are tough consequences - makes little league seem awfully unfair!
When you live in New England, and you are introduced to someone for the first time, you will either hear about what schools they attended, or hear about how smart they are. This is true whether the person is standing in the room or not. Nothing is revered in New England like intelligence. Everything is connected to intelligence. Smart, and you are likely to be viewed as upstanding, moral, and a valuable asset to society. Stupid, or of below average intelligence, and you are likely to be viewed as suspect, less than moral, and a liability to society. Too strong? Perhaps.
But isn't it interesting that when Bill Belichick is caught flagrantly disregarding the rules to gain unfair advantage (a value and practice by the way, that is the cornerstone of modern American business) the first thing people think about, are confused by, is why someone so smart would do such a thing?
News to all New Englanders who believe intelligence makes you a more moral person! No Way! No connection between IQ and morality. Proof right here. No need to look any further.
I coached little league for 5 years. If I'd done what Belichick did, I'd have been kicked out of the league, the previous win would have been forfeited, and my team would have been banned from post season play. But my league had ethics, and more importantly, my league cared about the moral future of children. Not so with the NFL.
I've been following and rooting for the Pats since I was a child in the 60's. I've been thinking about the penalties handed down by the new commissioner - $750,000 dollars of fines, which would be like fining me one dollar. A first round draft pick to a team that already has the deepest talent in the league.
Boy, those are tough consequences - makes little league seem awfully unfair!
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