It was the day before Thanksgiving and approximately 200 people gathered to say goodbye to the 86-year-old father of the New England Patriots coach. Belichick's mom, Jeannette, his wife, Debby, and their three kids were there, as were plenty of football VIPs, including Patriots owner Bob Kraft, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, Boston College coach Tom O'Brien, Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli, Virginia coach Al Groh, and former Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino.
But this was a day for the Belichick family, and for former Navy players and associates who wanted to say goodbye to the old coach who knew more about football than just about anybody -- the man who served as a scout, assistant coach, and physical education teacher at the Naval Academy for 33 years. One after another, speakers came back to the same themes: Steve Belichick was about three things -- family, football, and the Naval Academy.
The college chaplain spoke of all the lives Steve Belichick had touched. Former player Tom Lynch said Steve will always be God's football coach, and delivered a message from Heisman winner Roger Staubach (''Steve was our rock. He was our integrity."). Former Navy coach Rick Forzano, a friend for 46 years, looked at Steve's widow and said, ''You are a champion to coaches' wives."
But it was left to the only child of Steve and Jeannette Belichick to deliver the eulogy. And as ever, the son of Steve Belichick was prepared.
Coach Bill didn't say anything about Tedy Bruschi dumping that Gatorade over he and his dad when the Patriots won the Super Bowl last February in Jacksonville, Fla. He didn't talk about calling his dad to discuss game plans to stop Peyton Manning. There was nothing about the Patriots or the Super Bowls or how proud his dad must have been. While his Patriot players were back in Foxborough, Mass., preparing for Sunday's joust in Kansas City, Mo., the vaunted Patriots coach simply spoke about what it was like to be the son of Steve Belichick.
