The NFL handed New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick a $50,000 fine on Wednesday for his actions in a Sunday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
After the loss, in which there were numerous questionable calls by the replacement officiating crew, Belichick grabbed at one of the officials' arm's to supposedly ask him if the previous field goal would be reviewed.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker made a 27-yard field goal to send New England to a 1-2 record, the first time the team has been under .500 since 2003. The game-winning kick appeared to go directly over the upright, and it was unclear on first glance if the kick was good or not.
Belichick certainly didn't think so — hence the grabbing of the ref and the fine.
The Patriots head coach wasn't the only coach to be handed a fine this week. Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was fined $25,000 on Wendnesday for confronting an official in a stadium tunnel after a loss to the Cincinatti Bengals.
Meanwhile, Ravens coach John Harbaugh spent a great deal of Sunday night's game berating officials from the sideline and reportedly bumped an official while trying to call a timeout, but he will not lose a single penny for his actions.
The replacement officials and their lack of experience calling NFL games have cost one team a win, and are now costing coaches and fans money out of their pocket.
According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the NFL and regular officials met late Tuesday night and into Wednesday to work on a deal that would end the referees' lockout, but the damage has already been done.
Was Belichick's fine warranted, or did he deserve what was coming his way?
