Sports

NFL Fines Patriots' Head Coach Bill Belichick $50K for 'Grabbing' Referee

Belichick issued the following statement following the NFL's announcement that the Patriots' head coach was fined $50,000 for his incident with a league referee following Sunday night's loss in Baltimore.

The NFL announced Wednesday it has fined New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick $50,000 for his actions towards a referee following Sunday night's 31-30 loss, according to multiple media reports.

According to Boston.com, Belichick was fined for "impermissible physical contact with a game official" after the Patriots' head coach made contact with a referee at the conclusion of Sunday night's game in Baltimore.

On Monday, Belichick addressed the situation, explaining during a press conference that he was "just trying to get an explanation for obviously an important call, play, in that game [from the official]."

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"When the game was over, I went out and I was really looking for an explanation from the officials as to whether the play was under review and I did try to get the official’s attention as he was coming off the field to ask that, but I really wasn’t able to do that," Belichick said.

Following the NFL's decision Wednesday, Belichick released the following statement through the Patriots:

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"It was inappropriate for me to contact the official," Belichick said. "I take responsibility for what happened. I accept the discipline and I apologize for the incident Sunday night in Baltimore."

Belichick told media during Wednesday's press conference he had already addressed Sunday's incident involving the referee and would not comment further on the issue.

"I’ve already commented on that the other day and I don’t have anything to add," Belichick said. "Whatever the league decides to do, I’ll respect and just keep trying to do my job. ... I don’t have any more to add to it. No more."

Belichick and the Patriots are preparing for a Week 4 game in Buffalo to face the AFC East Division rival Bills.


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