Dave Portnoy is again weighing in on the viral Bill Belichick interview and fallout, saying there’s a “zero percent chance” Belichick wrote the statement accusing CBS News of &#8220;selectively editing.&#8221;
The Barstool Sports founder sat down with journalist Megyn Kelly to provide insight into the situation, adding that he knows the 73-year-old North Carolina head football coach and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, “personally.”
“He lives on Nantucket. I live on Nantucket. I&#8217;ve met Jordon, so it&#8217;s a very awkward thing to see,” Portnoy told Kelly on her Thursday podcast.  
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Dave Portnoy Tells Megyn New Details on Bill Belichick&#039;s Relationship with 24-Year-Old Girlfriend" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ib08734cRdc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
&#8220;In my years following Bill Belichick, I would say my knowledge of him, there’s roughly zero percent chance he wrote that,” he said of the statement. “But he just doesn’t care generally what anyone thinks about him,” Portnoy continued. “So to go write that —  my guess would be Jordon wrote that.”
“I was not expecting this interview,” he added. “I was squirming. I don&#8217;t know what to expect. I don&#8217;t know what to think about it. It certainly was awkward … I don&#8217;t know why she&#8217;s so involved, I really don&#8217;t. I&#8217;ve met her. She&#8217;s nice enough, she&#8217;s running the whole show.” 
Portnoy said, “Every piece of Bill Belichick business goes through her … Like if that was maybe not in a romantic relationship, and that&#8217;s his PR manager … nobody&#8217;s blinking at that … It’s just a very awkward situation. The age gap is huge, clearly, but she runs the show.”
“It&#8217;s such a juxtaposition of a guy who seemingly had no media savvy, but was always just straightforward, no time for the media. Now, having his life run by a [24-year-old], it certainly it’s eye-opening for a guy like me,” he added.
“I also know I&#8217;m gonna run into them in Nantucket, and I&#8217;m gonna be carrying my watermelon out of Stop-and-Shop, and I don&#8217;t want it to be an awkward conversation,” Portnoy told Kelly.  “It went super viral. It&#8217;s all anybody&#8217;s talking about … because it&#8217;s just such a departure from how a sports fan page or fan everybody thought of Bill Belichick.”
Kelly said Hudson’s actions had entered the realm of “elder abuse” and gave her “Dr. Jill [Biden]” vibes. 
She said if the “situation were reversed” and it was an older woman dating a controlling younger man, “we’d be accusing him of elder abuse and asking whether he’s guilty of coercive control, and whether this woman is OK.”
Belichick released a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bill-belichick-accuses-cbs-of-selectively-editing-interview-to-make-younger-girlfriend-look-bad">statement</a> following the tense interview going viral, saying they had previously agreed to only discuss topics related to the book and not his relationship but those requests were “not honored.” 
“[Hudson] was not deflecting any specific question or topic but simply doing her job to ensure the interview stayed on track,” he continued, saying the interview was “selectively edited” in an effort to “suggest a false narrative.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
My Sunday morning routine is always coffee and CBS Sunday Morning. It’s a feel good show. The opposite of controversial. So image my surprise this morning when they had the most awkward Bill Belichick interview I’ve ever seen. Like I was squirming in my seat <a href="https://t.co/1p6XjwsTfk">pic.twitter.com/1p6XjwsTfk</a>
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) <a href="https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1916506436806312044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Belichick and Hudson

Dave Portnoy Says There’s A ‘0% Chance’ Bill Belichick Wrote Statement On Disastrous CBS Interview

Dave Portnoy Says There's A '0% Chance' Bill Belichick Wrote Statement On Disastrous CBS Interview 

Bill Belichick

CBS News

Celebrities

Dave Portnoy

Entertainment

Football

Megyn Kelly

Sports

U.S.

North Carolina Tar Heels head football coach Bill Belichick released a statement on Wednesday about the recent CBS interview that went viral, claiming the network &#8220;selectively edited&#8221; footage to make it appear as though his younger girlfriend was running the show.
Fans have reacted by saying that Jordon Hudson, 24, was overly controlling and refused to allow Belichick, 73, to answer some questions. 
The former general manager and head coach of the New England Patriots claimed the discourse surrounding the interview was a “false narrative.”
&#8220;Prior to this interview, I clearly communicated with my publicist at Simon &amp; Schuster that any promotional interviews I participated in would agree to focus solely on the contents of the book,&#8221; Belichick <a href="https://x.com/BrendanRMarks/status/1917639712530907465">said</a>. &#8220;Unfortunately, that expectation was not honored during the interview.&#8221;
Belichick said he was &#8220;surprised when unrelated topics were introduced&#8221; and claimed interviewer Tony Dokoupil brought up his romantic relationship “several times” when the topic of the interview was supposed to be promoting his new book.  
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
UNC football coach Bill Belichick has released a statement related to his viral CBS interview over the weekend: <a href="https://t.co/rlUysaAggX">pic.twitter.com/rlUysaAggX</a>
&mdash; Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanRMarks/status/1917639712530907465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;[Hudson] was not deflecting any specific question or topic but simply doing her job to ensure the interview stayed on track,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Some of the clips make it appear as though we were avoiding the question of how we met, but we have been open about the fact that Jordon and I met on a flight to Palm Beach in 2021.&#8221;
Belichick added, &#8220;The final eight-minute segment does not reflect the productive 35-minute conversation we had, which covered a wide range of topics related to my career. Instead, it presents selectively edited clips and stills from just a few minutes of the interview to suggest a false narrative — that Jordon was attempting to control the conversation — which is simply not true.&#8221;
The network responded to the statement, saying, &#8220;When we agreed to speak with Mr. Belichick, it was for a wide-ranging interview. There were no preconditions or limitations to this conversation.” 
Belichick has been <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bill-belichick-interview-goes-viral-after-his-24-year-old-girlfriend-calls-the-shots">roasted</a> after the release of the interview, which included Hudson snapping a terse, “We’re not talking about this,” when Dokoupil asked how they met. 
Many criticized the interview, which aired on CBS Sunday Morning, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy writing, “My Sunday morning routine is always coffee and CBS Sunday Morning. It’s a feel good show. The opposite of controversial. So [imagine] my surprise this morning when they had the most awkward Bill Belichick interview I’ve ever seen. Like I was squirming in my seat.”
British broadcaster Piers Morgan wrote, “It was utterly excruciating. Mr Belichick needs a family or friend intervention asap.”
“I actually felt uneasy with his girlfriend,” another X user noted. “If he were my Dad, I’d be watching her very closely. She is definitely controlling the relationship &amp; is securing her financial future. It’s a bit creepy.”

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson

Bill Belichick Accuses CBS Of ‘Selectively Editing’ Interview To Make Younger Girlfriend Look Bad

Bill Belichick Accuses CBS Of Editing Interview To Make 24-Year-Old Girlfriend Look Bad

interview

Media

Legendary football coach Bill Belichick, 73, is facing major backlash for comments made by his younger girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, 24, during a recent CBS interview to promote his new book. 
Interviewer Tony Dokoupil asked about Belichick’s relationship by hinting that fans have had different reactions to it, especially considering the 49-year age gap. When the interviewer asked Belichick how the couple met, Hudson, who was sitting nearby, jumped in with a stern, “We&#8217;re not talking about this.” 
Dokoupil turned to her and asked, “No?”
“No,” she repeated, which was followed by an awkward moment of silence between Belichick, Hudson, and Dokoupil.
In a voiceover during the CBS Sunday Morning segment, Dokoupil can be heard saying, “It’s a topic neither one of them is comfortable commenting on.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
My Sunday morning routine is always coffee and CBS Sunday Morning. It’s a feel good show. The opposite of controversial. So image my surprise this morning when they had the most awkward Bill Belichick interview I’ve ever seen. Like I was squirming in my seat <a href="https://t.co/1p6XjwsTfk">pic.twitter.com/1p6XjwsTfk</a>
&mdash; Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) <a href="https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1916506436806312044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Footage of this moment has ignited a firestorm online, with clips of the awkward exchange going viral across social media. Many criticized the interview, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy <a href="https://x.com/stoolpresidente/status/1916506436806312044">writing</a>, “My Sunday morning routine is always coffee and CBS Sunday Morning. It’s a feel good show. The opposite of controversial. So [imagine] my surprise this morning when they had the most awkward Bill Belichick interview I’ve ever seen. Like I was squirming in my seat.”
British broadcaster Piers Morgan <a href="https://x.com/piersmorgan/status/1916510418601750621?s=43&amp;t=BDz6oekueqrSVJ50bM62xw">wrote</a>, “It was utterly excruciating. Mr Belichick needs a family or friend intervention asap.”
“I actually felt uneasy with his girlfriend,” another X user <a href="https://x.com/cynmdmi/status/1916494314475057300">noted</a>. “If he were my Dad, I&#8217;d be watching her very closely. She is definitely controlling the relationship &amp; is securing her financial future. It&#8217;s a bit creepy.”
The incident quickly turned into meme fodder, with users linking together footage of Belichick’s infamous monotone press conferences alongside Hudson’s interruption. Many pointed out how Belichick, who has a reputation for taking a firm stance with the media, was now seemingly being told what to do by a romantic partner.
Commenters also questioned why Hudson was even involved in the interview. 
Belichick is currently promoting his new book, “The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football.”

Bill Belichick Interview Goes Viral After His 24-Year-Old Girlfriend Calls The Shots

'Utterly Excruciating': Bill Belichick Interview Goes Viral After His Girlfriend Calls The Shots

Rapper Snoop Dogg stole the show at the annual NFL Honors award show on Thursday, playfully poking fun at the 49-year age gap between former New England Patriots legendary head coach Bill Belichick, 72, and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
Snoop performed a monologue at the pre-Super Bowl event in New Orleans, saying he&#8217;s been a “football fan for a long time” while reminiscing about how things used to be in the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/nfl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL</a>.
“I remember back when the Cowboys was [sic] good. I remember back when the Chiefs was [sic] bad,” Snoop said. “And I remember — what was it? Bill Belichick&#8217;s girlfriend wasn&#8217;t even born yet.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
&#8220;Bill Belichick&#8217;s girlfriend wasn&#8217;t even born yet.&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/SnoopDogg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SnoopDogg</a> didn&#8217;t hold back in his opening monologue 😅 <a href="https://t.co/xJ7Fh8isvX">pic.twitter.com/xJ7Fh8isvX</a>
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX/status/1887685988681482496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The coverage cut to the couple, showing Hudson’s jaw drop wide open in apparent shock while Belichick chuckled next to her.
Belichick arrived at the event wearing a maroon jacket and all six of his Super Bowl rings. In December, he accepted a head coaching position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
This isn&#8217;t the first time Hudson and Belichick have endured jokes about their sizable age gap. In May, during Netflix&#8217;s “The Roast of Tom Brady,” former Patriots players took some shots at their former coach.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bill Belichick hits the red carpet.
📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLHonors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLHonors</a> on FOX &amp; NFLN 
📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/GIEC0u4NDW">pic.twitter.com/GIEC0u4NDW</a>
— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1887669111594897648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Coach, you used to talk about Foxborough High School when we sucked,&#8221; <a href="https://athlonsports.com/nfl/bill-belichick-24-year-old-girlfriend-addresses-burn-wounds-tom-brady-roast">said</a> Rob Gronkowski, who played for Belichick for nine seasons. &#8220;But now I know why you were so obsessed with Foxborough High School: you were scouting your new girlfriend.&#8221;
Brady, who won six Super Bowls under Belichick, added, &#8220;Everybody asks me which [Super Bowl] ring is my favorite, I used to say &#8216;the next one,'&#8221; the former quarterback said. &#8220;But now that I am retired, my favorite Ring is the camera that caught Coach Belichick slinking out of that poor girl’s house a few months ago. Hey, you still got it. Respect baby.&#8221;
Hudson is a former cheerleader and the 2024 Miss Maine USA pageant&#8217;s first runner-up, per <a href="https://pagesix.com/entertainment/who-is-jordon-hudson-bill-belichick-girlfriend/">Page Six</a>. The couple reportedly met on a flight in 2021 and began dating in 2023. 
Belichick was previously married to Debby Clarke from 1977 until 2006 and has three children with her. Next, he was in a long-term relationship with Linda Holliday from 2007 until 2023.

WATCH: Snoop Dogg Ribs Bill Belichick And His 24-Year-Old Girlfriend Over Age Gap

Snoop Dogg

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly called Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and warned him to not trust former Patriots coach <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bill-belichick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Belichick</a>.
The January call, reported by <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39955777/how-patriots-legend-bill-belichick-end-nfl-job" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN</a> on Wednesday, played a major role in why the Falcons decided not to hire Belichick and instead opted to hire Raheem Morris.
Blank and Belichick met just a few days after Belichick was let go by the Patriots after coaching there for nearly a quarter century.
The job interview, which happened on Blank&#8217;s Yacht in the Caribbean, left Blank very impressed, the report said.
Blank&#8217;s view of Belichick changed after Blank decided to call Kraft, who is considered to be his closest friend among NFL owners.
&#8220;Kraft delivered a stark assessment of Belichick&#8217;s character, according to a source who spoke to two people: a close Kraft friend and a longtime Belichick confidant,&#8221; the report said. &#8220;The source quoted the Belichick source as saying, &#8216;Robert called Arthur to warn him not to trust Bill.&#8217; That account was backed up, the source said, by the close Kraft friend.&#8221;
&#8220;One source close to Belichick said Kraft &#8216;was a big part&#8217; of why the Falcons passed on hiring him,&#8221; the report added. &#8220;The sources said Kraft made clear to Blank that &#8216;you&#8217;ll never have a warm conversation with&#8217; Belichick, echoing what Bill Parcells told Kraft in 1996 when he wanted to bust the budget and hire Belichick. &#8216;Blank likes coaches who feel part of a family,&#8217; a Falcons source said, &#8216;and it wasn&#8217;t going to be that way with Bill.'&#8221;
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Kraft had been unhappy with Belichick, who won six Super Bowls with the team, for months and did not trust him because he believed that Belichick was responsible for leaking stories.
&#8220;[Kraft] found Bill to be extremely difficult and obstinate and kind of stubborn and, in the end, not worthy of his trust,&#8221; a source told ESPN. &#8220;And also very, very, very arrogant.&#8221;
The source said that the Kraft family felt &#8220;betrayed&#8221; by Belichick, but did not think that Kraft would try to harm the coach.
&#8220;I don&#8217;t think they&#8217;d try to help him either,&#8221; the source added. &#8220;They weren&#8217;t going to try to sink him. He was finished as an effective head coach. Just look at his last four years in New England. A disaster. &#8230; If you&#8217;re Arthur Blank, why do you want the headaches?&#8221;

AMFOOT-NFL-PATRIOTS-BELICHICK

Bill Belichick Not Hired By Atlanta Falcons After Patriots Owner Warned Falcons Owner: Report

Atlanta

General

Robert Kraft

MixCollage-12-Jan-2024-09-54-AM-7217

The Wildest Coaching Carousel In Football History: Here’s Who’s Retired, Been Fired, And Hired 

College Football

Nick Saban

Readers Pass

Bill Belichick is out as head coach of the New England Patriots after 24 years and leading the team to nine Super Bowl trips and six rings.
The veteran coach took to the podium on Thursday and told members of the <a href="https://x.com/Patriots/status/1745490547303686547?s=20">press</a> he would be a Patriot forever as he thanked the fans and the organization, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39285303/bill-belichick-leaving-patriots-24-seasons-sources-say">ESPN</a> reported.
&#8220;[Patriots owner] Robert [Kraft] and I, after a series of discussions, have mutually agreed to part ways,&#8221; Belichick said. &#8220;For me, this is a day of gratitude and celebration.&#8221;
&#8220;We had a vision of building a championship football team that has exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I&#8217;m very proud of that. I&#8217;ll always have those great memories, I&#8217;ll carry those with me the rest of my life.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
LIVE: Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick media availability 1/11: <a href="https://t.co/A3htiZoUin">https://t.co/A3htiZoUin</a>
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) <a href="https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1745490547303686547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
&#8220;It&#8217;s with so many fond memories and thoughts that I think about the Patriots, and I&#8217;ll always be a Patriot,&#8221; Belichick continued. &#8220;I look forward to coming back here, but at this time, we&#8217;re going to move on. And I&#8217;m excited for the future.”
Kraft followed Belichick at the press conference and said, &#8220;This is a move that we mutually agreed that is needed at this time. What Bill accomplished, in my opinion, will never be duplicated.&#8221;
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&#8220;Coach Belichick will forever be celebrated as a legendary sports icon here in New England, and I believe go in as a Pro Football Hall of Famer on the first ballot,&#8221; Kraft added. &#8220;Why? Because he is the greatest coach of all time. Which makes this decision to part ways so hard.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39285303/bill-belichick-leaving-patriots-24-seasons-sources-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belichick</a> will undoubtedly be in the NFL Hall of Fame for the incredible run he had in New England, which includes six Super Bowl titles, 333 career victories (including playoffs), second only to Don Shula’s 347, and nine conference championships, the most by a head coach in the Super Bowl era.
Speculation that Belichick&#8217;s reign in New England would end has been trickling out all week as reports surfaced that the coach and Kraft had met several times throughout the week.
Belichick leaves the team after a dismal season as New England finished with a 4-13 record. Since the Super Bowl-winning QB <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tom-brady-posts-cryptic-quote-about-betrayal-after-gisele-bundchen-breaks-silence-on-their-divorce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Brady</a> left the Patriots after the 2019 season, the Patriots have had a losing record three of the last four years, ESPN noted.

New England Patriots v New York Giants

Bill Belichick Leaves New England Patriots After 24 Years

Bill Belichick Out In New England After 24 Years

New England Patriots

Superbowl

Tom Brady

Iconic NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who just announced his retirement, spoke of his long-time coach Bill Belichick, with whom he won six Super Bowls, revealing that he gave Belichick permission to chew his butt in front of teammates in order to set an example.
Belichick joined Brady’s SiriusXM podcast, “Let’s Go,” where they reminisced about old times and noted Belichick’s talent for creating an egalitarian structure for the team.
“That was as much a part of Tom as it was me,” Belichick <a href="https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2023/02/bill-belichick-ripped-tom-bradys-expletive-because-of-bobby-knight-michael-jordan.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, as Mass Live reported. “There were a couple meetings where I would say something to Tom after the meeting. Like, ‘Hey, I didn’t really think that was that bad, but I just wanted to include you in there with everyone else.’”
“Tom would say, ‘Coach, you have to. If you don’t yell at me, then what am I going to do with all the rest of my teammates?” Belichick continued. “I’ve gotta be in there with all the rest of them and say, ‘Hey, he’s yelling at all of us and we’ve all gotta do better.’ But if you leave me out of it, then I don’t really have a platform to work from. So yeah, go ahead and rip my ass, too. Go ahead.’ I got the green light on that, so I went ahead and took it.”
“Players, they’d always come back to me and say, ‘Hey, the first meeting Belichick got on Brady. I’m like, Christ, if he’s going to talk to Brady like that I’d better be straight. I know what’s going to happen to me,’” Belichick added.
Belichick said he got the idea from legendary basketball coach Bobby Knight when Knight coached the 1984 Olympic basketball team led by Michael Jordan.
“Where I got that from was Coach (Bobby) Knight, because Coach Knight told me that’s what he did with Michael Jordan on the Olympic team,” Belichick recalled. “He said, ‘Michael, I’m going to rip your (expletive) because I can’t rip some of those other guys without ripping you.’ Jordan said, ‘Bring it on, because I need that and it’ll help me with my teammates.’”
Jordan, who played for another legendary coach, Dean Smith, at the University of North Carolina, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/glory-days-excerpt-summer-1984-foreshadowed-michael-jordan-nba-greatness-usa-basketball-bob-knight">joked</a>, “The only different thing is the vocabulary. From Coach Smith I learned the four-corner offense. From Coach Knight I learned the four-letter word.”
Belichick <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/patriots-bill-belichick-lauds-tom-brady-reminisces-coaching-greatest-player.amp">summed up</a> Brady’s contribution on the field: “The greatest player, the greatest career. A great, great person. It was such an opportunity and an honor for me to coach Tom. I guess it’s gotta end at some point. But it’s the greatest one ever. So, congratulations, Tom.”

New England Patriots Practice

‘Rip My A**’: Tom Brady Recalls Advice He Gave To Bill Belichick

'Rip My A**': Tom Brady Recalls Advice He Gave To Bill Belichick

With six Super Bowl wins to his credit, Bill Belichick will most likely go down as the greatest head coach in NFL history, and deservedly so.
Fast forward to today, though, and I feel confident in saying that Belichick is on his way out and will never win another Super Bowl. I am not saying he will be fired &#8211; his team did make the playoffs last year &#8211; but he has earned the right to leave the NFL in his own way.
It seems Belichick is still trying to win the same way he did with Tom Brady. And early returns are showing that it isn&#8217;t going to work.
Brady proved he could be surrounded by average weapons and still elevate everyone&#8217;s game. They were able to generate enough points to be effective during normal and crunch times.
Belichick has relied on good defense, elite special teams, and a once-in-a-lifetime quarterback to help him secure a dynamic legacy. It seems the only mountain he has left to conquer is being able to win the big one: post-Tom Brady.
Brady, on the other hand, went down to Tampa Bay and won another ring &#8211; and came close to playing for another &#8211; so it wasn&#8217;t just being in the Belichick system that made Brady the player that he is.
The stubbornness of using the same formula is proving to not always be the best way to go about things.
Belichick wants to leave a legacy that’s separate from being lucky enough to have Tom Brady as his star player. He wants his legacy to be his system &#8211; a system that has not only created Super Bowl winners, but also produced the best quarterback who ever lived.
Every coach and player who makes it to this level has to have some sort of ego, and while it varies from person to person, the most successful people in this business usually have a pretty big one.
One could even go as far as saying the biggest dragon Belichick has left to slay is Tom Brady.
We always say what makes Nick Saban so great is his ability to be malleable as the game changes over time. Saban used to have the same identity as Belichick, but he realized that paces of the offense and the rule changes will affect one’s success — so he changed his style. Will Belichick do the same?
To this point, he hasn’t, and I don’t see that happening any time soon. Asking Mac Jones to win the same way Brady did is not only unfair, it isn&#8217;t going to work. Mac is going to be a good quarterback, but he is not and will never be Tom Brady.
It seems Belichick is going even further outside of the box by letting defensive coordinator and former head coach Matt Patricia become an offensive coordinator. 
The Patriots continue to deprive Jones of legitimate playmakers who can make his job easier, while trying to rebuild what is usually a stout defense — especially in the back end.
Patriots fans are not satisfied with just making the playoffs and don&#8217;t want to fall back into obscurity because their winningest coach wants to make it about his system and not the signal caller.
We may just find out that Belichick was more of a system coach than Brady was a system quarterback.
None of this diminishes all that Belichick has accomplished as a head coach. There is, however, one common denominator in all of the Super Bowls wins by the future Hall of Fame coach: Tom Brady. 
Without Brady, it seems like the ride is over.
Jake Crain is co-host of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/crain-and-company">&#8220;Crain &amp; Company.&#8221;</a> the Daily Wire&#8217;s sports show, also featuring co-hosts Blain Crain and David Cone.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Carolina Panthers v New England Patriots

Is Bill Belichick On His Way Out?

Super Bowl

Following the news on Tuesday that Tom Brady would retire after 22 years in the National Football League, the tributes poured in. 
Former teammates, coaches, and members of the NFL Hall of Fame all shared their thoughts on Brady’s illustrious career, but one very important character in the career of Brady was missing — Bill Belichick. 
The famously ornery coach of the New England Patriots had yet to share his thoughts on Brady’s retirement, which was especially interesting considering Brady did not mention the Patriots — his team for 20 years — in his lengthy Instagram post announcing the end of his playing days. 
Belichick has finally weighed in, and did so with effusive praise. 
&#8220;I am privileged to have drafted and coached Tom Brady, the ultimate competitor and winner,” Belichick <a href="https://www.patriots.com/news/statement-from-bill-belichick-on-tom-brady-s-retirement">said</a> in a statement posted to the Patriots website on Wednesday. “Tom&#8217;s humble beginning in professional football ultimately ended with him becoming the best player in NFL history. Tom consistently performed at the highest level against competition that always made him the number one player to stop. His pursuit of excellence was inspirational. Tom was professional on and off the field, and carried himself with class, integrity, and kindness. I thank Tom for his relentless pursuit of excellence and positive impact on me and the New England Patriots for 20 years.&#8221;
Under Belichick, Brady and the Patriots built the greatest dynasty in the history of the NFL, winning six Super Bowls in nine appearances in the 20 years they worked together. While the marriage did end on a relatively sour note, neither side has had anything negative to say about each other in the two years since the divorce. 
Brady officially announced his retirement on Tuesday, days after reports surfaced over the weekend that the three-time MVP would be taking off his shoulder pads for good. 
“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition – if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed and success is what I love so much about our game,” Brady <a href="https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/1488521931158695940?s=27">wrote</a> in an Instagram post. “There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.”
“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady continued. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”
Brady finishes his illustrious career with seven Super Bowl rings — the most by a player in NFL history — and as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards, completions, and passing touchdowns. 
At 44-years-old, Brady led Tampa Bay to a 13-4 regular season, and led the league in passing yards (5,316) and passing touchdowns (43), though the Bucs were upset in the divisional playoffs by the  Rams. 
Brady was drafted by the New England Patriots with the 199th pick of the 2000 NFL Draft, and took over as the starting quarterback during the 2001 season after an injury to Drew Bledsoe. He would go on to lead New England to the organization’s first championship, and win five more Super Bowls with the Patriots in his 20 seasons under head coach Bill Belichick.
He left New England following the 2019 season, and won his seventh Super Bowl in his first season in Tampa Bay.
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to sports@dailywire.com.

AFC Championship – Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots

‘The Best Player In NFL History’: Bill Belichick Weighs In Following Tom Brady’s Retirement

In May, Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane alluded to cutting a player who chose to not receive the COVID vaccine, calling it an “advantage.” 
“We’re laughing, but these meetings [last season] were not as productive as before,” Beane <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/buffalo-bills-gm-says-team-might-cut-players-who-refuse-covid-vaccine">said</a>. “You guys saw it in the field house — sometimes we’d have three to four meetings going on, and sometimes you’re talking over each other. But it was the only way to pull it off and be socially distanced. So it would be an advantage to cut a player and fall under that umbrella.” 
For his comment, Beane received a call from the league in which it was reiterated that a team may not release a player solely because of their vaccination status. 
This week, two NFL coaches have broached the subject, and they’re going about it in vastly different ways. 
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer — in his first year coaching at the NFL level — may have placed himself in hot water with his approach.
On Tuesday, Meyer told reporters that a player&#8217;s vaccination was considered during final roster cuts. 
&#8220;Everyone was considered,” Meyer <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/nflpa-conducting-investigation-after-urban-meyer-s-vaccine-comment">said</a>. “That was part of the production, let&#8217;s start talking about this and also, &#8216;Is he vaccinated or not?&#8217; Can I say that that was a decision-maker? It was certainly in consideration.&#8221;
The answer to Meyer’s question is murky. While a player cannot be cut solely due to their vaccination status, Meyer said that it was a “consideration.” Vaccines are not required for players, though they are strongly encouraged. The NFL Players Association has launched an investigation after Meyer’s comments and confirmed in an email to <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/nflpa-conducting-investigation-after-urban-meyer-s-vaccine-comment">The Associated Press</a>. 
On Wednesday, the Jaguars released a statement saying that no player was released due to their vaccination status.
&#8220;Availability is one of the many factors taken into account when making roster decisions,&#8221; the statement <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32126156/jacksonville-jaguars-say-no-players-were-released-due-vaccination-status">read</a>. &#8220;We have vaccinated and unvaccinated payers on our roster and no player was released because of their vaccination status. Ultimately, decisions are based on a player&#8217;s ability to help the Jaguars win. We educate our players and respect personal decisions as it pertains to the vaccine. We want to keep our players, staff, and families safe as we comply with protocols related to both health and safety and competition on game days.&#8221;
Then there is New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. 
The six-time Super Bowl champion released veteran quarterback Cam Newton on Tuesday, with many speculating that Newton’s vaccination status played a role in the decision. Last week, Newton was forced to spend five days away from the team facility after a “misunderstanding” of the NFL’s COVID testing policy. Newton has declined to say publicly whether he is vaccinated, but the nature of his absence points to him being unvaccinated.
Per <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2021/08/23/cam-newton-unvaccinated-miss-patriots-practices-covid-19-protocols/8242393002/">USA Today</a>, &#8220;The regimen of daily testing means that Newton isn’t vaccinated for COVID-19 given only unvaccinated players are subject to the five-day reentry process.&#8221;
Belichick squashed that rumor Wednesday morning and gave reporters something to think about at the same time. 
“No,” Belichick <a href="https://youtu.be/uStZ0uUUKSY?t=273">said</a> when asked if Newton’s vaccination status had anything to do with him being released. “You guys keep talking about that, and I would just point out — I don’t know what the number is — you guys can look it up &#8230; the number of players and coaches and staff members that have been affected by COVID in this training camp who have been vaccinated, is a pretty high number. So, I wouldn&#8217;t lose sight of that.” 
The NFL season kicks off Thursday, September 9 when the Dallas Cowboys play the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucs. New England opens their season Sunday, September 12, against the Miami Dolphins and the Jaguars open their season on the same day against the Houston Texans.
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to <a href="mailto:Sports@dailywire.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sports@dailywire.com</a>.

A Tale Of Two Coaches: Urban Meyer And Bill Belichick Dish On Player Cuts, Role Of Vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccine

Who had Bill Belichick on their 2021 Unlikely Virtue Signaler Bingo Card? Come collect your winnings. 
That’s right — the Lord Vader of the NFL’s Evil Empire has publicly rejected a Presidential Medal of Freedom because being in the same room as Donald Trump is apparently too icky.
Here’s his <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/belichick-rejects-medal-of-freedom-from-trump-statement">statement</a>, in part: “Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation’s values, freedom and democracy. I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team. One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions. Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweighs the benefits of any individual award.”
Translation: I coach in the NFL, and standing up to the mob is risking career suicide, even for a six-time champion, and I’m going to use the “riot” as an excuse to weasel out of going to the White House.  
Et tu, Bill? You would think that resistance to bending the knee would be in his DNA. The guy’s GAF (Give a f***) meter has been pegged at zero since I’ve been paying attention. He shuffles into press conferences in his cut-off hoodie looking like he just missed last call and is pissed about it, mumbles a few occasionally coherent thoughts and leaves, apparently unconcerned with protocol, decorum or even personal dignity. 
But not even Bill Belichick is immune to the woke virus rampaging through pro sports. Roger Goodell is NFL Commissioner in name only; Colin Kaepernick apparently calls the shots.  
As with any former Republican president who garners a Strange New Respect for not being as bad as his successor, the announcement has given Belichick some unexpected cachet with leftists, who celebrated it as “the latest rebuke to Trump from the sports world.” Deadspin’s headline blared: “Bill Belichick has some integrity, turns down Trump’s Medal of Freedom.”
To his credit, hard-core leftist Mike Florio of NBC Sports saw the announcement for what it probably was: a cynical reading of the room at Patriots HQ and attempt to deflect the guilt-by-association that has haunted Belichick since he supported Trump in 2016. Florio wrote, “This was not a deathbed conversion. It was an effort to avoid what would have been the death knell for Belichick’s coaching career.”
Of course, it follows a certain twisted logic that the author and instigator of Deflategate and Spygate, a win-at-all-costs, whatever-it-takes NFL Machiavelli, would align himself with those who would consider cheating Trump out of an election (whether it actually happened or not) a moral necessity. 
My thoughts on the matter? Get over yourself, Belichick. These Medals of Freedom are often nothing more than a chance for the President, whoever he is, to fangirl over his sports and pop culture idols. Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Lorne Michaels and Robert DeNiro — all Medal of Freedom recipients during the Obama years — are the kind of company Belichick would be keeping. A good reason to turn down the award, now that I think about it.  
The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots

Belichick Bends The Knee

Cancel Culture

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