Bill Belichick Slammed for Staring Down Reporter Who Asked Antonio Brown Question

People were stunned by the way the coach stared down the reporter for simply doing her job.

Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots
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Image via Getty/Wesley Hitt

Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots

Like Boobie Miles, there's only one subject Bill Belichick only cares about and that's football. So when CBS Sports reporter Dana Jacobson asked the coach what caused the Patriots to cut ties with Antonio Brown, Belichick didn't grace her with an answer.

Bill Belichick gave the death stare... pic.twitter.com/czX2KJ9G0D

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2019

"We're focused on the Jets today," Belichick responded bluntly, bypassing Jacobson's question. While this is a very typical answer from Belichick, people were stunned by the way the coach stared down the reporter for simply doing her job, especially Jacobson's colleagues. 

To be clear, it’s not the non-answer that’s the problem here. It’s the stare after she thanks him and his inability to say anything in return that makes him an asshole.

— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) September 22, 2019

It is Belichick’s tough guy staredown of Dana Jacobson that I find particularly weak. He is in a position of power and it is a really bad look. (Oooh, Bill, you are really tough staring her down)

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) September 22, 2019

Jemele Hill called the stare "weak and unprofessional," and said Belichick should be held accountable.  

Dana did her job. This is what you get paid to do as a journalist. Those in power have to be held accountable. It’s fine if he chooses not to answer the question. That stare was weak and unprofessional. https://t.co/5kGySyTTgs

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 22, 2019

Taylor Rooks also called the stare "unprofessional," and commended Jacobson for doing her job. 

The stare is wholly unprofessional. Not responding to “thank you” is wholly unprofessional. If he doesn’t want to answer the question, that’s his prerogative. But it’s ridiculous to think you’re above being asked the question. It’s been one of the biggest stories. Dana HAS to ask https://t.co/8lcaqBdeLn

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) September 22, 2019

Two things here. 1. Dana is just doing her job and holding Bill accountable for what happened with Antonio Brown. Completely appropriate question. 2.Bill doesn’t have to answer the question, but for him to give her the death stare like he’s some God is so gross and unprofessional https://t.co/RzA53efMMk

— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) September 22, 2019

Bill Belichick has been forced to answer a lot of non-football related questions ever since New England acquired Antonio Brown. After releasing AB, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding his exit. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Brown sent one of his accusers a series of text messages that constituted as "real evidence." As a result, New England decided to drop him from their roster. Brown didn't take this lightly. The wide-out went on a Twitter tirade on Sunday, where he likened his sexual assault allegations to Robert Kraft's legal issues. Also, Ian Rapoport claims that several Patriots players were not 100% behind Kraft's decision to move on from Brown. 

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