Part 2 of the NFL Films' documentary, "A Football Life," which aired Thursday night on NFL Network, portrays Bill Belichick -- nestled between his moments of glory -- struggling with life's mundane chores, as we catch him semi-baffled in attempts to program his car's clock.
It was Belichick's sense of timing that was hotly contested in New England's memorable, nationally televised loss to the Colts in 2009. Leading by six points, with 2:08 left in the game, Belichick chose to go for it on fourth-and-2 from his own 28-yard line. The attempt failed, of course, sending the football media into uproar -- questioning Belichick's trust in his team and mental well-being.
The Belichick-Moss relationship
Now enmeshed in our planet's collective consciousness: Randy Moss dolled up as SpongeBob SquarePants -- roller skating with Bill Belichick in pirate gear. **Watch**
More from 'A Football Life'
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Belichick's inspiration
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Belichick's gambles
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Belichick's holiday
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Belichick's exit
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Coach's car trouble
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Super Bowl memories
It wasn't a rash move on Belichick's part. We learn that he'd made it a goal that season to attempt more fourth-and-short conversions. We saw it succeed a number of times.
Not so against Indy, as Tom Brady's completion to Kevin Faulk fell just short of the first down. Belichick's face tells the story from there, with Manning tossing the game-winner to Reggie Wayne with 13 seconds left.
Cut to a meditative Belichick alone in the sauna, with a told-you-so voiceover from Tony Dungy telling a national audience: "You have to punt the ball in that situation. ... As much as you may doubt your defense, you have got to play the percentages and punt the ball."
Belichick huddles his players later in the week to download the gaff: "My decision there at the end was based on what I felt was best for the football team and our best chance to win. So whether you agreed with it or disagreed with it ... I'm sure everyone's got an opinion, but I'm just telling you, I did what I thought was best. ... It didn't work out, and I'm not apologizing to anybody for being aggressive and trying to win. That's what we're here for."
Belichick -- never chummy with the media -- instructs the Patriots to block out the haters.
"The sign on the door when you walk out, tonight, read it. Read it. It says, 'Ignore the noise.' I hope you believe it, because it's the truth. I'll always tell you the truth."
Part 1 of "A Football Life" re-airs Friday night at 6 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Part 2 re-airs at 7 p.m. ET.
