Ten years ago, Bill Belichick conducted the most memorable press conference of his New England Patriots tenure — and he really only needed four weeks to do it.
During an appearance on the Monday Night Football ManningCast, the former Patriots coach grinned as he watched highlights of his famous 2014 press conference alongside brothers Peyton and Eli Manning.
It’s been exactly one decade (and seven days) since Belichick uttered those four magic words in response to nearly every question he took from media members that day. The press conference came the morning after the Patriots had been embarrassed by the Chiefs on Monday night football, putting the entire season (and Tom Brady’s status as the starter) in question.
So, what was going on in Belichick’s mind that day? Here’s what he told the Manning brothers.
“When you get beat like that, obviously, it’s bad coaching and some bad playing and bad everything,” Belichick said. “Decided to try to get through it as quickly as possible, especially on a Monday night game and get on to Cincinnati. That’s all we could do and our guys really responded and played well the next week.”
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Not only did this week mark the 10-year anniversary of the press conference, Monday night’s game also featured the same Chiefs team that triggered it.
Belichick’s refrain of “We on to Cincinnati” became symbolic of the coach’s famously gruff disposition when speaking to the media.
At the time, it ruffled some feathers. But now, it’s looked back as one of the hallmark moments of his time in New England. It certainly helps that the Patriots went on to beat the Bengals, resurrect their season and win the Super Bowl that year.
“Thankfully they they bailed me out on that,” Belichick said. “The players bailed me out because – that was a long night, a long night in Kansas City, I can promise you that I tell you.”
Belichick’s 24-year run in New England came to an end earlier this year. The 72-year-old sought out a head coaching job during the offseason, but never managed to land a suitor. He’s currently juggling multiple media jobs this season as he reportedly looks to return to coaching next year.
