New York Jets Most Wanted: Top 20 villains in team history – Part 3 (5-1)

1. New York Jets Most Hated – Bill Belichick

It’s hard to believe that one man could be worse than a combination of Darth Vader, Satan, Roger Gooddell, and Cruella de Vil. In a nutshell, that’s how Gang Green Nation feels about Bill Belichick. Or at least that’s the family-style version.

The beginning of the story was covered in the earlier parts of this series. But it deserves telling again because this is the foundation of why Belichick is so hated. In 1997, Belichick signed a six-year contract to be Gang Green’s defensive coordinator. There was a clause in the deal that Belichick would become the Jets head coach once his boss Bill Parcells called it quits, which the latter did after the 1999 season.

The former assistant was indeed promoted to New York Jets head coach, as promised. He held the job for less than two days before he submitted a napkin to management with the words “I resign as HC of the NYJ” on it and headed to New England. He cited the Jets’ uncertain ownership for leaving, but that was an excuse. Belichick thought the Patriots job was better and took it.

There were charges of bad faith dealings, tampering, and even an anti-trust lawsuit before the parties settled upon a solution. In the end, the Jets got their 2000 first-round draft pick back that they surrendered for hiring Parcells in 1997.

Since then, the man who’s facial expression ranges from scowl to bemused half-grin has put the screws to Gang Green. Belichick has relished every victory over the New York Jets, even if he had to bend the rules or outright cheat to pull it off. Hello, “Spygate” and intentional penalties at the end of games.

To make matters worse, the most embarrassing play in team history, “The Buttfumble” happened against Belichick. There is so much more, but we will leave it here.

We hope you have enjoyed the New York Jets most hated series, or at least didn’t get cut from digging your fingernails into your palm.