Patriots: Angle shows Bill Belichick’s celebration for iconic pick vs Miami
By Adam Weinrib
Though we all loved Mac Jones’ effortless first touchdown pass, the most electric moment of the Patriots‘ Week 1 battle with the Miami Dolphins was likely the tip-drill interception hauled in by Jon Jones.
You remember it, right? The momentum-turner that inspired JC Jackson to drop his already-classic quote about Tua Tagovailoa?
Though the play might get lost to the sands of time by the end of the season, since the game ended in defeat, we thought you might want to know that, at the moment the ball was secured, Bill Belichick actually celebrated.
Rather feverishly, actually. You might even call this a dance.
Right after the ball nestles in Jones’ mitts after floating through the air, you can spot Belichick on the white-painted grass somewhere near the 30-yard line.
He’s the one gyrating.
Belichick was pretty pumped about Jon Jones's interception. About as much excitement as you'll see from BB on the sideline. He's on the white paint at roughly the 30 yard line. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/jujjubIWKC
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 15, 2021
New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick loved Jonathan Jones’ pick.
To be fair, it was the ultimate momentum-turner, and could’ve been the final time Tagovailoa touched the ball with a lead if Belichick’s offense had chosen to execute.
To be unfair, though, have you ever seen coach celebrate like this during a Super Bowl before the final whistle? Even when he completes a draft steal, he just silently pumps his fist, pets his dog on the noggin, and gets to work evaluating the fourth round.
Unfortunately, this moment was the only time on Sunday (other than Jones’ completed touchdown drive) when things fully felt right in New England. Belichick’s typically buttoned-down team committed eight penalties for 84 yards. Their drives uncharacteristically petered out once they reached the red zone.
And, of course, someone who fell off his coaching tree bested him for the second time in three tries in his own home. That used to not happen.
Brian Flores is now 3-2 against Bill Belichick, including 2-1 at Gillette.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) September 12, 2021
Belichick will learn from this experience and be extremely prepared to walk in to Miami later in the season, a stadium that bizarrely served as a “House of Horrors” during the Tom Brady Era.
If he can pull off a victory at those sun-bleached unfriendly confines, we might really see a celebration.
