The Patriots are still in the habit of chasing down referees after controversial endings to games. This time, though, Bill Belichick let Tom Brady do it and kept his $50,000.
The Patriots coach was fined the hefty amount last year after following a replacement official off the field after a controversial call ended a Patriots game against the Ravens. Belichick later said he was merely trying to get an explanation on the call, but he grabbed at the referee, and he was fined for the contact.
Belichick referenced that moment Monday night when reporters pressed him for his thoughts on the controversial non-call that ended the Patriots’ loss to the Panthers.
“There was no explanation given to me,” Belichick said. “[The] officials ran off the field, and I didn’t see anything. [I’ ve] been through that before. The last time I tried to ask an official about a call, it was the wrong thing to do. … Didn’t get [an explanation] tonight, didn’t get one at the Baltimore game. I guess that’s the way we do it.”
Brady did chase the officials, however, and really let them have it after a flag was thrown and then picked up on what many are saying should have been a pass interference or holding call on Luke Kuechly against Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.
