Vince Wilfork's New Nickame: "Fingers"

Update: Mike Reiss posted at 3:10 that Wilfork--and his finger--got fined $15,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. (Thanks, AnneAllsonMA!)

After all the celebration over the Patriots' perfect season, Bostonist conveniently forgot that some outrage might arise after the actions of one particular New England Patriot. During the game against the New York Giants, Vince Wilfork got into a heated altercation with the Giants' Brandon Jacobs.

In the midst of the fracas, Wilfork aimed his finger squarely at Jacobs and jabbed it right into his facemask. Vince Wilfork is a huge man with whom one does not mess. Frankly, Jacobs is lucky that it wasn't worse.

So, the incident raises a question--is it ever appropriate to jab a finger toward someone else's face? In general, no. AOL Fanhouse called it "one of the dirtiest acts you'll ever see on a football field," but the refs didn't see it., and Wilfork hasn't been penalized. He was fined $15,000 for the poke. Wilfork later admitted that he probably ought not to have aimed that finger.

But, if you are as big as Vince Wilfork, chances are good that you can do whatever the hell you want. As the playoffs approach, what do you think? Should the big guy curb his enthusiasm a little, or should he do what he has to do to win?

A big man with a big finger. Image from Vince Wilfork's official site.