New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick isn’t known for being particularly animated while he’s speaking publicly about, well, really anything.
However, the longtime Patriots coach surprised NFL fans by tapping into his personality while honoring former New England assistant coach Dante Scarnecchia as he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday.
During his speech to honor both Scarnecchia and former New England linebacker Mike Vrabel, Belichick recalled when the Patriots briefly had former Chicago Bears offensive tackle James O. “Big Cat” Williams in for training camp.
Williams had been in the NFL for quite some time, but Scarnecchia wasn’t pleased with his technique while practicing. He gave the new Patriots tackle an earful, which Belichick remembered with a lively demonstration of how it went.
You can hear the story at the 1:44:26 mark in the Patriots Hall of Fame video.
You can see below the glaring height difference between Scarnecchia and Williams.
Here’s a picture of Dante Scarnecchia and James “Big Cat” Williams https://t.co/OrzJr9cqVQ pic.twitter.com/CV6pBSjTRO
— Boston Cream 🍩 (@itsbostoncream) October 21, 2023
Belichick’s hidden personality pops in this short anecdote, one that shows how deeply the Patriots coach respects Scarnecchia’s time in New England.
While Belichick is in the midst of a nightmarish season with the Patriots, he got the opportunity to relive some happier times during this ceremony.
As he did, NFL fans got a look at the side of Belichick we don’t often see.
NFL fans were caught off-guard by this version of Belichick.
This is good stuff from Bill Belichick ⬇️ https://t.co/RTYi9XOX34
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 21, 2023
Almost every Patriots player who gets asked the question, "What surprised you the most about Bill Belichick?" gives the same answer: his sense of humor.
His speech at the Scarnecchia/Vrabel @thehall induction earlier today gave a rather extended glimpse at it. https://t.co/iQLxc1vtx7
— Bernd Buchmasser (@BerndBuchmasser) October 21, 2023
This is probably the most animated I’ve ever seen belichick and it’s cause he’s talking about his O-line coach #footballguy https://t.co/AP6StYeVLI
— Trevor Mason (@TrevorMason28) October 21, 2023
Bill Belichick is so great when he gets to just talk football and especially when honouring the greats https://t.co/ba87LYj4h4
— BearsByron trusts Ryan Poles (@BearsByronB) October 21, 2023
this is wild to watch lol https://t.co/TrxYdG1VrR
— tautologer (@tautologer) October 21, 2023
This is great 😂 https://t.co/RdThpGSuIH
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) October 21, 2023
Great to see the human emotion!! https://t.co/VWi3GqmIF5
— Tchalla Greene (@MrTchalla) October 21, 2023
Bill with emotion?? https://t.co/G99A1W3c1b
— Jeff Hoak (@JeffHoak1) October 21, 2023
Wow never seen that side of bill lol https://t.co/3uGok0pryn
— Davy Phockett (@DavyPhockett) October 21, 2023
Bill Belichick’s Dante Scarnecchia impersonation 😂pic.twitter.com/8mKCRzleII
— Boston Cream 🍩 (@itsbostoncream) October 21, 2023
Bill Belichick for once actually showing emotion for once is a weird sight. pic.twitter.com/zJnzVAjJlb
— Boston Sports Burners (@Logan_Pats) October 21, 2023
He's got a personality maybe he can make it in media lol https://t.co/rXaASYgbfE
— Steve (@steveA1127) October 21, 2023
Holy crap. Who is this guy? https://t.co/Mj2ujpbXPl
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 21, 2023
Bill with emotion?? https://t.co/G99A1W3c1b
— Jeff Hoak (@JeffHoak1) October 21, 2023
