At Air Force, Belichick talks Navy
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Bill Belichick doesn’t come across as being the nervous type, especially when it comes to addressing a roomful of football players.
But yesterday, prior to putting the Patriots through practice on the grounds at the Air Force Academy, the coach admitted he had a few more butterflies than usual given the task he was assigned last week — giving the Navy football team its pregame speech prior to the Midshipmen playing SMU on Saturday.
Belichick’s father, Steve, was a Naval Academy scout for more than three decades. Bill Belichick grew up in Annapolis, Md., so there’s special meaning for him. Hence, the nerves.
To set the scene, Navy had just lost to Temple. The Midshipmen were also in the middle of a three-game losing streak. Enter Belichick. Following his speech and an emotional Senior Week, Navy went on to win in Annapolis to snap the losing skid and become bowl eligible.
“Ken’s asked me to do it a couple times, in different situations,” Belichick said, referring to Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. “But to speak to the actual team, not recruits, it’s really an honor. Just to be able to stand up in front of that group is a pretty special feeling. It’s probably as nervous as I’ve been talking to a group in quite a while. It was definitely special. There’s just something about looking at that group of kids that’s a little bit different than looking at another team. Not to take away from any other team. It’s just a little bit different, and it’s special.
“I really appreciate him giving me that opportunity and I’m glad they won last week, not that I had anything to do with it. I’m glad that worked out for them, too.”