Bill Belichick is well-known for his gruff personality with the media and his intense obsession with winning football games. But his players often talk about a lighter side to the coach's persona rarely seen in the public eye.
We got a glimpse of that "other" Belichick on Wednesday when members of the New England Patriots headed to UFC Headquarters in Los Vegas after a productive joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders.
UFC broadcaster Brendan Fitzgerald tweeted out a video of Belichick donning a UFC championship belt inside one of the building's workout facilities and mock-celebrating his being crowned an ultimate fighting champion.
Bill Belichick just won a UFC title #Patriots pic.twitter.com/YI9mqcjUZ9
— Brendan Fitzgerald (@BrendanFitzTV) August 24, 2022
Cornerback Jalen Mills told WEEI's "Gresh and Keefe" with a chuckle Thursday afternoon that he was there for Belichick's latest "championship," saying it was "cool" to see the coach having some fun.
Beyond that, though, the Patriots' defensive back lauded the trip and Belichick's gesture as a creative, much-needed event after a grueling Tuesday and Wednesday in Las Vegas.
"We've been out here in this heat these past two days going hard," Mills said of joint practices with the Raiders. "To kind of have that relax after a long practice and us having that team bonding moment and seeing Bill putting on the belt and saying he's the heavyweight champ of the world, it was cool. We needed that after these last few days just to get back to center."
Mills also suggested defensive lineman/outside linebacker Deatrich Wise Jr. as the Patriots player most likely to have success in the octagon.
The Patriots' team-building trip is sandwiched around two days of practice in which the team reportedly proved competitive against a talented Raiders squad and the preseason finale between the two teams Friday night. With that, training camp will wrap up, final cuts will be due on Tuesday, and the official ramp-up to the regular season will begin.
This season could be one of Belichick's most challenging yet as head coach with his offense struggling to get the hang of a new system without an experienced offensive coordinator and his defense, while good thus far, lacking star power.
But even in the midst of a trying summer, the coach is still trying to keep things light where he can.
