Was Tom Coughlin’s and Bill Belichick’s hug the moment that defined Super Bowl 46?

A hug was the moment that defined Super Bowl 46. It was not the no-he-didn’t drop by the normally sure handed Wes Welker. It was not “I’m-scared-as-hell” look that shined throughout Tom Brady’s face mask all night. It was not even the incredible catches made by the Giants receivers Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks. It was yes, a hug.

Patriot’s coach Bill Belichick and Giants coach Tom Coughlin are both rulers with iron fists. They have their way and if their way is not followed in most cases you will be shown the door.

But at the conclusion of Super Bowl 46, they met in the middle of the field for a hug that brothers usually share at emotional family events like funerals, weddings and the births of children.

They of course have been in this limelight before. Belichick has won plenty of hardware since he came to New England and Coughlin won a ring in 2008 against the Patriots in what will probably always be remembered as one of the greatest Super Bowls of all time.

But the hug was not about two mental gladiators showing the ultimate respect for each others. The hug was about a brother hood that they joined over two decades ago.

Bill Parcells may not have been chosen for the Hall of Fame this year and that is a crime. But that accolade pails in comparison to the feeling he must have had watching his two star pupils battle it out once again for the game’s ultimate prize.

Tom and Bill actually won a ring together as assistants under Parcells in 1990 for the Giants.

They are both deeply rooted in the Parcells tree and as such, they share similar views and principles that allow either rare public displays of affection.

This is why the hug was so special. It was moment of brotherhood that at least for a pin drop of a second allowed sports fans to feel as if there wasn’t a winner or a loser. There stood just two brothers from another mother once again doing their thing at the biggest stage that sports has to offer.

A hug was the moment that defined Super Bowl 46. It was not the no-he-didn’t drop by the normally sure handed Wes Welker. It was not “I’m-scared-as-hell” look that shined throughout Tom Brady’s face mask all night. It was not even the incredible catches made by the Giants receivers Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks. It was yes, a hug.

Patriot’s coach Bill Belichick and Giants coach Tom Coughlin are both rulers with iron fists. They have their way and if their way is not followed in most cases you will be shown the door.

But at the conclusion of Super Bowl 46, they met in the middle of the field for a hug that brothers usually share at emotional family events like funerals, weddings and the births of children.

They of course have been in this limelight before. Belichick has won plenty of hardware since he came to New England and Coughlin won a ring in 2008 against the Patriots in what will probably always be remembered as one of the greatest Super Bowls of all time.

But the hug was not about two mental gladiators showing the ultimate respect for each others. The hug was about a brother hood that they joined over two decades ago.

Bill Parcells may not have been chosen for the Hall of Fame this year and that is a crime. But that accolade pails in comparison to the feeling he must have had watching his two star pupils battle it out once again for the game’s ultimate prize.

Tom and Bill actually won a ring together as assistants under Parcells in 1990 for the Giants.

They are both deeply rooted in the Parcells tree and as such, they share similar views and principles that allow either rare public displays of affection.

This is why the hug was so special. It was moment of brotherhood that at least for a pin drop of a second allowed sports fans to feel as if there wasn’t a winner or a loser. There stood just two brothers from another mother once again doing their thing at the biggest stage that sports has to offer.