Bill Belichick sports Crimson Tide shirt at Alabama pro day

Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots, showed school spirit by wearing a Crimson Tide sweater at Alabama’s pro day.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick enjoys a number of strong relationships around the football world, both at the NFL and at the collegiate level. One of those relationships was on definite display Tuesday when Belichick attended the University of Alabama’s pro day – and rocked a Crimson Tide pullover shirt while doing so.

It’s rare to see Belichick in anything other than grey, white, black, or some muted shade of navy; so imagine the surprise of onlookers when out he came onto the football field in Tuscaloosa, sporting a brilliant red long-sleeved sweater with the trademark cursive white Alabama ‘A’ crest emblazoned on it.

Shades of Andy Reid, anyone?

Even if Belichick is a stranger to bright red, he’s no stranger to Alabama’s pro days. Over the years, Belichick has been a staple visitor and supporter of the Crimson Tide football program – partly because Alabama is so darn good every year, and partly because one of his oldest and dearest friends is the head coach there: Nick Saban.

Saban and Belichick have known each other for almost 40 years now, and their relationship goes beyond mutual respect. The two actually worked together on the Cleveland Browns staff for four years in the early 90s; Belichick was head coach and Saban was defensive coordinator. There was even one year in the mid-2000s where the two football geniuses were division rivals, with Belichick coaching the Patriots and Saban hired on as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Of course, Saban’s South Beach tenure was famously short-lived. After just two years at the helm, he left to take the Alabama head coaching job in 2007. The move paved massive dividends: under Saban, the Crimson Tide have captured five national championships in the past 10 years.

Belichick was far from the only NFL guru in attendance at Alabama’s pro day on Tuesday. Amongst those also spotted from the professional ranks: Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, Raiders GM Mike Mayock, 49ers GM John Lynch, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert, Lions GM Bob Quinn, Titans GM Jon Robinson, Bills GM Brandon Beane, Saints GM Mickey Loomis, and Panthers GM Marty Hurney.

The Patriots have been linked to a number of draft-eligible Alabama players next month, including tight end Irv Smith, linebacker Mack Wilson, defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, and offensive tackle Jonah Williams, among others.