New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick hates talking about anything outside of football during his in-season press conferences, but he knew he’d have to address the letter he sent to Donald Trump.
Trump read the letter sent to him by Belichick at a New Hampshire rally on Monday. On Tuesday, Trump was voted as the next President of the United States.
When Trump read the letter, he said Belichick congratulated him on his campaign, that he dealt with a “slanted media” and “have come out of it beautifully.”
Belichick started his press conference Wednesday with a statement on the letter to Trump.
“Our friendship goes back many years,” Belichick said. “I think anyone who has spent more than five minutes with me knows I’m not a political person. The comments are not politically motivated. It’s friendship and loyalty to Donald. A couple weeks ago we had Secretary of State [John] Kerry in our locker room. He’s another friend of mine. I can’t imagine two people with more different political views than those two.
“To me, friendship and loyalty is just about that, not about political or religious views. I write hundreds of letters and notes every month. It doesn’t mean I agree with every single thing that every person thinks about politics, religion or other subjects. But I have friendships that are important to me and that’s what that was about.”
Belichick wanted to get back on message quickly, and make sure he was answering questions about this week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks and not on Trump, so without skipping a beat he set the tone for the rest of his press conference.
“I’s not about politics, it’s about football,” Belichick said.. “We have a huge game this week against a great football team, great organization and that’s where it all is going forward, on Seattle.”
Belichick was asked a follow-up question.
“Seattle,” he answered.
Another question, about whether the divisiveness of the campaigns and election would have an effect in the locker room, was ignored. Belichick talked over the question, saying “Seattle” four times as it was being asked.
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