Bill Belichick remains a mystery through greatness, even to Patriots players
USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON – Most laughed. The thought of revealing what on earth their legendary coach, Bill Belichick, does in his spare time? Now that’s funny.
“I have no idea,” sixth-year New England Patriots tackle Nate Solder said, smiling. “Watch film?”
“I don’t even know how old he is,” offered second-year defensive end Trey Flowers, shaking his head.
“I wish I could help you more,” long snapper Joe Cardona said after a long chuckle. “But I have no clue. I wouldn’t have the first idea.”
Famously private, deliberately dull and stunningly successful, Bill Belichick the man – not Belichick the football coach – remains, for the most part, as much a mystery to his players as he does the general public. Most assume his life consists of little more than eating, sleeping and coaching. And maybe it does.
But while that’s the easy picture to paint, there is more to the 64-year-old four-time Super Bowl winner, the architect of New England’s decade-and-a-half of dominance who is chasing his fifth ring on Sunday in Houston against the Atlanta Falcons.
It’s just not a side the players see, or hear about, or ask about.
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Two years ago, Tom Brady’s father revealed to author Gary Myers that the future Hall of Fame coach and future Hall of Fame quarterback – a pairing that has produced 207 wins in 16 seasons together – have never so much as shared a lunch together.
“To my knowledge, he and Tommy have never been to dinner, never been to lunch,” Tom Brady, Sr. was quoted as saying in Myer’s 2015 book, “Brady vs. Manning: The Untold Story of the Rivalry That Transformed the NFL.”
Not…