Just spoke with Peter Gelzinis re., his Steve Belichick column

[Tunescribe]

I left a phone message for Herald writer Peter Gelzinis last week on how upset I was about his column concerning Steve Belichick. The piece suggested son should have followed dad's superior moral/ethical example re., matters surrounding "cameragate," and that dad likely would have disapproved of BB's behavior before and after getting caught. He called me back today and we talked for a few minutes about his reasoning behind what he wrote.

Gelzinis seems like a reasonable enough guy, up to a point, but appeared more interested in defending the column and talking over me vs. hearing what I had to say. He said he felt he was very respectful to Steve B. in what he wrote, but his message was that BB didn't reflect sufficiently upon his father's legacy of honor and integrity, etc., and if he had, the scandal likely wouldn't have ocurred. Or, at least BB would've 'fessed up more contritely.

I told him I thought his invoking the man's dead father was in very poor taste -- a low reach at a time of professional/personal crisis that hit below the belt. He disagreed using the ol' "but he IS a public figure" defense. True enough, but that doesn't absolve a writer from crossing the bounds of respect (for BB as a human being) and good taste ... He did say he received a lot of e-mail/calls from irate Pats fans over the piece.

He admitted to a factual error of which I told him in writing Steve B. died last fall (it actually was two years ago), and also admitted he never knew or met Steve B. The bottom line was that Gelzinis felt there was nothing distasteful about the column as he took pains to revere Steve B. I told him I thought it was a callous move to invoke the name and memory of a man's dead father while that person is embroiled in professional/personal crisis.

We ended the conversation essentially agreeing to disagree.

 

[patsgo]

I left a phone message for Herald writer Peter Gelzinis last week on how upset I was about his column concerning Steve Belichick. The piece suggested son should have followed dad's superior moral/ethical example re., matters surrounding "cameragate," and that dad likely would have disapproved of BB's behavior before and after getting caught. He called me back today and we talked for a few minutes about his reasoning behind what he wrote.

Gelzinis seems like a reasonable enough guy, up to a point, but appeared more interested in defending the column and talking over me vs. hearing what I had to say. He said he felt he was very respectful to Steve B. in what he wrote, but his message was that BB didn't reflect sufficiently upon his father's legacy of honor and integrity, etc., and if he had, the scandal likely wouldn't have ocurred. Or, at least BB would've 'fessed up more contritely.

I told him I thought his invoking the man's dead father was in very poor taste -- a low reach at a time of professional/personal crisis that hit below the belt. He disagreed using the ol' "but he IS a public figure" defense. True enough, but that doesn't absolve a writer from crossing the bounds of respect (for BB as a human being) and good taste ... He did say he received a lot of e-mail/calls from irate Pats fans over the piece.

He admitted to a factual error in writing Steve B. died last fall (it actually was two years ago), and also admitted he never knew or met Steve B. The bottom line was that Gelzinis felt there was nothing distasteful about the column as he took pains to revere Steve B. I told him I thought it was a callous move to invoke the name and memory of a man's dead father while that person is embroiled in professional/personal crisis.

We ended the conversation essentially agreeing to disagree.

totally agree, i didnt read it but saw the caption and couldnt believe he brought up his dad, i didnt want to lower my self to read the crap

 

[Patti37]

I didn't read the column also because when I saw the headline I thought, "How does he know anything about BB's father and what he thought?"

 

[old 55]

I posted a reply to the article that said the I hoped his father was alive so that he could call him up and tell him "I thought I raised you better than this.."

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

I would have ended the conversation suggesting that Pete's dad, if/when he finally exits this world of ours, would disapprove of his sons pathetic and opportunistic story. And if his Dad didn't then like son like Dad.

 

[Hoodie]

Hey Tune. Good job. I hope you also reminded Gelzinis that Steve Belichick was notorious both for trying to get an edge on the competition and also for his secrecy. I think Steve Belichick would have said, "BFD that's what you're supposed to do." I think he would have been more upset about the way the media has treated his son. Gelzinis would have known this if he'd done nay research but I will bet you he NEVER even pickup up David Halberstam's Education of a Coach.

 

[RayClay]

He admitted to a factual error in writing Steve B. died last fall (it actually was two years ago), and also admitted he never knew or met Steve B.

Pretty much says it all right there.

Journalistic integrity.

 

[patsox23]

What a totally huge, LAME line to cross.

 

[JJDChE]

Kudos to you for actually have the balls to pick up the phone and make your feelings known.

I even have to give kudos to Gelzinis for returning your call and not just blowing it off. Even if it sounds like he came back with a pretty lame defense for his column.