When Bill Belichick is in charge, you’re going to hear some famous instructions: “Do your job.” “It is what it is.” “No days off.”
Apparently, you can add “No staying up all night playing video games” to that list.
The former New England Patriots coach lent his insight on video games this past week during an appearance at a coaching academy led by Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Belichick was asked about another famous phrase of his, “You can’t win until you keep from losing.”
What did he mean by that? Belichick listed a number of examples, including mental errors on the field. He also mentioned some examples of how individual players’ decisions can hurt their performance.
“An athlete can’t reach his potential if he derails himself by poor training, poor nutrition, staying up playing video games, you know, ‘Capture the Flag’ and, you know, ‘War Hero’ or whatever,” Belichick said.
Fanatics Sportsbook10X$100 BONUS BETBET MATCH BONUS
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, KY ,MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV)
“Are those real games?” Harbaugh asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t play them,” Belichick said, drawing a laugh.
“It’s stuff like that,” Belichick added. “They come in tired and fall asleep in meetings, can’t pay attention in meetings. ‘What were you doing?’ ‘Oh, you know, I was up late last night, on the phone, watching video games, watching a movie.’ Well, football’s not that important to you, so you’re going to get beat by somebody else who’s going to commit more to it.”
Belichick coached 24 seasons with the Patriots until he and the team parted ways earlier this year. Despite myriad rumors in the following months, Belichick ultimately did not land a head coaching job for the 2024 season.
Without a coaching gig, Belichick has been making the rounds throughout football visiting teams and clinics, like Harbaugh’s.
Belichick is set to make the jump to broadcasting this season. He’s in line to appear as part of the Manning Cast during ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” coverage this season.
