Adam Thielen explains verbal spat with Patriots coach Bill Belichick

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Minnesota Vikings star Adam Thielen was on the receiving end of an angry Bill Belichick in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots when the veteran head coach yelled an expletive in the wide receiver's direction.

Thielen was upset about a Patriots player going down to the ground with an apparent injury around the time New England challenged a Vikings first down. Belichick clearly didn't like what Thielen was saying, prompting the incident to occur. 

"Interesting timing for a guy to go down," Thielen told reporters after the Vikings' 24-10 loss to the Patriots, per NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran. "It was a close play that could've been reviewed. For me, I just lost my emotions."

Thielen also clarified he wasn't directing any ire at Belichick. 

"I just thought the play was cheap. I wasn't directing it towards him," he said. "I just thought the play was cheap. But, like I said, I let my emotions get the best of me. It's a smart football play -- if you are in that situation, why not? It's not cheating. There's no rule against it, from a guy going down. I don't know if he was hurt or not. He might've been hurt. That's fine, it is what it is. Just interesting timing for a guy to go down when it's a close play."

Thielen also didn't take any offense to the Patriots head coach's comments.

"No offense taken," Thielen said. "It's football, there's emotions. He can think what he wants to think about me. It doesn't really change how I'm going to go play the game. He can hate me all he wants. I'm still going to be the same person I am. I'm going to try to go out and do my best and try to compete every play."

Thielen also confirmed he did not speak to Belichick after the game. Belichick was asked about the fourth-quarter exchange with Thielen after the game, and he gave a predictable response.

The Vikings wideout didn't have one of his better games of the season. He caught five passes for 28 yards and a touchdown, as well as a botched TD celebration.

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