Bill Belichick lives up to his stoic caricature when it comes to welcoming draft picks to the Patriots.
The Patriots' Twitter account posted two videos over the weekend of Belichick informing two of the club's selections, defensive end Chase Winovich and quarterback Jarrett Stidham, they'll be spending their summer and fall in Foxboro. It is a phone call Winovich and Stidham have probably been dreaming about for their entire lives.
For Belichick, it seems like another tedious protocol he's ordered to follow.
The Winovich call is especially musing. The ex-Michigan standout, who recorded 13.5 sacks over his junior and senior campaigns, has a reputation for enjoying the trappings that come along with being a star football player. He went on a date with Madonna's daughter –– Winoyich says he emailed her upon learning she was a fellow Wolverine –– and took an impromptu picture with President Trump on the golf course (even bubbly youngsters have their flaws). So when the call came in with a Massachusetts area code Friday, the No. 77 overall selection and his crew were predictably enthused.
"It's Massachusetts!," Winovich announced to his draft party.
"It's the Patriots," another voice said.
It most certainly was, and Belichick's dry baritone was on the other end of the line. "We're about to make you a Patriot," he said. ""We're going to turn the pick in here. Look forward to seeing (you)."
"We're about to make you a Patriot."Inside the #Patriots draft room when BB made the call to @Wino. pic.twitter.com/g1UsAii0Mu
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 27, 2019Belichick was equally dry when he placed a call to Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham, whom the Patriots selected late in the fourth round.
"Congratulations. We're making you a New England Patriot. Likewise, we're looking forward to it," Belichick said in a matter of seconds.
The moment @Jarrett_Stidham became a New England Patriot.#PatsDraft pic.twitter.com/fh5yyJmphw
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 27, 2019It must be surreal for these early 20-somethings to be picked by the Patriots, given they weren't even in kindergarten when Tom Brady and Belichick won their first Super Bowl together. Winovich already enjoyed one of those moments last fall, when Brady stopped by his alma mater.
See you soon! @patriots #GoPats #GoBlue
A post shared by Chase Winovich (@wino) on Apr 26, 2019 at 9:44pm PDT
As Brady can attest, it's not fun and games in Foxboro until they capture the Lombardi Trophy at the beginning of each February. In just 30 seconds, both Winovich and Stidham –– and presumably all of the Patriots' draft picks –– got their first taste of Belichick's austerity.
