FOXBOROUGH — Mike Vrabel could have shaved his mustache off on Monday.
It was December 1 and November was over so Movember was too. But the Patriots coach decided to keep his facial hair for a little bit longer.
Movember was created to raise awareness of men’s health issues, especially prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.
It has added significance this year because Terrell Williams, his friend and Patriots defensive coordinator, is battling prostate cancer. The team’s players and coaches have been wearing “T Strong” clothing all season and the mustache is another sign of support.
Monday was the Patriots’ “My Cause, My Cleats” game, when each player can wear special footwear highlighting a cause or charity that holds special meaning to them. Vrabel, in honor of Williams, made Movember his cause. And the chance to draw attention to it on Monday Night Football made keeping the mustache an extra night worth it.
“It will be gone tomorrow. I couldn’t have done all this and not go out on Monday Night Football,” he said during his postgame press conference. “It will be gone tomorrow. Probably before I talk to you.”
Gillette hosted an event to kick off last month.
“It is important. We understand how important our health is. Being able to focus on prostate cancer and men’s health,” Vrabel said. “Thankful to Gillette for supporting us and what we do here. With Big T going through it, it makes it even more special and near and dear to our heart. There are some other people here around the building that are partaking in it. ”
