I am an avid sports fan and I think this is the first time I am using this blog to write about sports.  It’s really about leadership and the future Hall of Fame Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots.

Recently on a Sunday Night game , the Patriots were leading the Colts in the fourth quarter 31-14, and then it happened–the Colts behind the strong arm of quarterback Peyton Manning made an epic comeback.

Then the decision came. Coach Belichick with with under 2 minutes left went for it on 4th and 2, as we know the Patriots didn’t make it and then the Colts came back to win the game.

Many columns have been written about the decision and on both sides.

OK, so it didn’t work — that doesn’t mean it wasn’t the better choice and the right call.

I’m intrigued — but not surprised — by the instant history last night that second-guessed Belichick.

But I think that it will be a measure of how far analytical-based decision-making has come if today’s morning-after reconsideration is that he made the right choice, regardless of outcome.

Leadership is about tough calls. If you agree or disagree with the decision tough calls had to be made. In football it is a numbers games and the odds were in favor that the Patriots could usually get those two yard and run out the clock. During the the corporate collapses of Enrons and Worldcom, risky calls were made and jobs and livelihoods were affected.  The question is as a leader is how to make that tough call?  And when you do it and make a mistake do you own up to it?  Only time will tell for Coach Belichick.