BOSTON – May 9,2024 –
Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick revealed the secret to maintaining team harmony during Antonio Brown’s short stint. Belichick discussed an unusual incident involving a $5,000 milk order on “The Pivot” podcast, shedding light on how a simple decision impacted the relationship between Tom Brady and Brown. The incident highlighted the importance of addressing even minor issues of the Patriots. Read on for the full story.
belichick Reveals Secret to Brady-Brown Harmony: The Tale of the $5,000 Milk
Bill Belichick, now head football coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, recently shared insights into how he managed the relationship between quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Antonio Brown during Brown’s brief stint with the New England Patriots.
The Short-Lived Patriot Days
The Patriots signed Brown early in the 2019 season after his departure from the Las Vegas Raiders. Brown played only one game for New England, recording four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. Despite his short time in Foxborough, a bond formed between Brady and Brown, which continued into their Tampa Bay Buccaneers tenure.
The Pivot Podcast Revelation
Belichick discussed the dynamics on “The Pivot” podcast, highlighting a unique incident involving a costly dairy order. Host Ryan Clark referenced a chapter in belichick’s book,”The Art of Winning: Lessons from My life in Football,” focusing on managing star players.
Did You Know?
Antonio Brown’s single game with the Patriots was highly anticipated, given his previous performance with other teams. His arrival was seen as a potential boost to the Patriots’ offense.
The $5,000 Milk Debacle
Belichick recounted the story:
One of the funniest stories in the book is the Antonio Brown story. He was only with the Patriots for 11 days.And, Tom’s very nutrition-oriented. Antonio wanted to… Tom had Antonio come and stay at his house, wanted to embrace him, bring him onto the team and so forth.
Bill Belichick on “The Pivot” podcast
The situation escalated when Brown ordered a special milk for Brady.
Antonio ordered this special milk for Brady, it cost $5,000. To make a long story short, it kinda got mixed up and ended up in the mailroom for to long, and the milk went bad.
Bill Belichick on “The Pivot” podcast
Damage Control
To prevent the spoiled milk from straining the relationship between Brady and Brown, Belichick authorized the expense.
So, now we turn in this expense report – $5,000 worth of milk. Sometimes, you’ve just got to do the right thing, and I didn’t want to ruin the relationship between Brown and Brady on this spoiled milk.
Bill Belichick on “The Pivot” podcast
Pro Tip
Maintaining team harmony often requires addressing even seemingly minor issues. Belichick’s decision highlights the importance of supporting player relationships to foster a positive team environment.
Super Bowl Reunion
Despite Brown’s brief tenure with the Patriots, he and Brady later won a Super Bowl together with the Buccaneers in the 2020 season.
