Why are NFL teams wearing camo hats Today

Fresh off having players wear pink in October to raise awareness for breast cancer, this month the NFL put its coaches in camouflage as part of its "Salute to Service" campaign.

As Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports wrote, one coach has yet to participate in the tribute.

"So coaches are wearing camo hats and camo sweatshirts and even camo headsets ... all of which you can purchase. The USO, the Wounded Warrior Project and the Pat Tillman Foundation are beneficiaries," Wetzel wrote.

"Well, not all coaches are wearing camo.

"[New England Patriots Coach] Bill Belichick has yet to put any on. He has worn a pin with camouflage on it, but not the full garb. A couple other coaches have worn only the camo headsets or the pin, but it's no surprise Belichick has gone low-key.

"The campaign has left fans of both football and fashion confused ... is [New York Giants Coach] Tom Coughlin wearing that because he went deer hunting this morning and forgot to change? And by the way, is anyone fooled by blue camo?

"Officially it is a mystery why Belichick hasn't decked himself out fully in Salute to Service apparel. Belichick has not elaborated on it since Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com brought it up last week.

"That probably isn't a coincidence.

"This is, or would be, Belichick at his non-conformist best. It may even be a passive-aggressive, anti-league-office, anti-marketing-gimmick move. Eschewing Salute to Service is in line with his long-term stances on multiple levels."

Wetzel wrote about Belichick's childhood, growing up in Annapolis, Md., where his father was an assistant coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. He also noted all four of the Patriots' trips to the White House to celebrate Super Bowl victories have included stops at Walter Reed Hospital, the Army's flagship medical facility for wounded veterans.

"Belichick's commitment to the cause can't be questioned," Wetzel wrote. "What can be questioned is the league demanding someone wear a camouflage hat. It is a mostly meaningless gesture and doesn't signify anything. It's a sort of forced, show-pony act that has become pervasive.

"Maybe the league's intentions here were 100 percent noble. It can also feel like this is more about what the military can do for the NFL than what the NFL can do for the military."

Watch for fakes

Dwight Perry, who writes a snarky, mostly sports-related column for The Seattle Times, poked fun at Arkansas guard Anton Beard in his latest column.

"Arkansas basketball guard Anton Beard, charged last summer with passing counterfeit money, has finally been cleared to practice again.

"Even better, veteran Hog-watchers say Beard came back with some unbelievable ball-fakes," Perry wrote.

He said it

Stony Brook basketball Coach Steve Pikiell, to the New York Post, assessing his roster: "We have some good outside shooters. Unfortunately, we play our games indoors."

Sports quiz

Where did Bill Belichick play college football?

Answer

Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., where he was a center and tight end. He also played lacrosse and squash, serving as the captain of the lacrosse team during his senior season.

Sports on 11/20/2015