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LAKE FOREST — Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have been the gold standard in the NFL the past two decades plus on two accounts — winning and cheating.
There have been six Super Bowl rings with Belichick and a guy by the name of Tom Brady leading the way.
And then there is a lengthy cheating history.
As the Bears get ready to play the Patriots Monday night, defensive lineman Justin Jones said ‘deflated balls’ are the first thing he thinks of when he hears the name “Bill Belichick.”
He also wondered aloud if the Patriots are still cheating and said he plans to take action Monday night.
Jones said he plans to have the officials check the balls during the game Monday night.
“I hear it is still going on, I am so serious,” Jones told CHGO. “I am for sure checking. Play this game with honesty man, you know what I’m saying.”
The Patriots do not. They have played it with a lot of dishonesty.
First there was the 2007 Spygate scandal which detailed rule-breaking all the way back to the 2001 AFC championship game. The Patriots lost a 2008 first-round draft pick, $250,000 and Belichick had to pay $50,000 of his own money.
But Belichick kept his job and the Patriots train kept rolling on.
Fast forward to 2014 and Deflategate. An extensive NFL investigation for under-inflated footballs landed Tom Brady with a $1 million dollar fine, plus a four-game suspension.
The Patriots were docked 2 more draft picks and another $1 million.
Another drop in the bucket.
There have been headset accusations over the years as well. Belichick has shown time and time again he lives the adage “if you ain’t cheatin you ain’t trying.
Jones is far from the only one who believes the Patriots are still bending the rules today.
“That ain’t cool, I am going to check them though ( the balls). I’ll hand it to the ref — what’s up with these man?” Jones said.
If the Bears beat the Patriots and Jones gets a sack on Monday night, he plans throw in a little extra for the ‘you are cheaters’ effect.
“Oh, I’ve got a celebration,” Jones said with a smile.
Bears fans and many others around the NFL would love to see it come out Monday night.