The New England Patriots were a powder keg for nearly 20 years, which makes their constant, unbridled winning all the crazier.
Despite incessant sacrifices for the greater good, Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Robert Kraft are all alphas commensurate with the level of the game’s greatest winners.
In retrospect, it’s almost impossible to believe it took decades for the lid to blow off — and even when it did when Brady left for Tampa Bay, it sounded more like steam escaping slowly than a full-blown explosion.
Nobody knows the dynastic Patriots like ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, who made fans furious a few years back when he reported on a rift between the team’s three powers. Of course, the team won again, leading the fan base to rail against Wickersham’s observations … only for it to eventually become obvious they grabbed a title in spite of the tension. Or, perhaps, because of it.
Wickersham’s got a new book dropping Oct. 12, but in case you can’t wait to learn more about his boots-on-the-ground history of the wildest team we’ll likely ever see, ESPN dropped some tidbits on Wednesday morning.
Needless to say, there’s fighting, cursing, and President Donald Trump involved.
Tons of juicy Patriots nuggets from Seth Wickersham's new book, "It's Better to Be Feared," in this ESPN preview.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) September 29, 2021
-Mangini nearly fighting Belichick
-Kraft calling Belichick "the biggest f-----ng a--hole in my life"
-Bill/Trump fallout
-Details on the Malcolm Butler benching pic.twitter.com/dCP6mCkVWT
Seth Wickersham’s New England Patriots book is going to be wild.
And, yes, you might even finally learn what went on with Malcolm Butler in the Eagles Super Bowl — at least, according to Malcolm Butler.
None of this should stun you by now, but still, seeing Kraft grumbling to friends about having stuck himself with Belichick, the “biggest f***ing a**hole in [his] life,” is still unbelievable the first time your eyes cross it.
(At the same time … chill out, Robert. Sorry you’re “stuck” with a huge jerk who won you six rings and endless division titles.)
Also, seeing as we haven’t heard from Eric Mangini since 2009, you have to wonder if Belichick punted him off the Grand Canyon.
“At the 2008 league meetings, Belichick and then-New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini nearly had a fistfight. Eric…charged across the room and needed to be held back by other coaches from swinging at Belichick. "Hey Bill, f--- you!" Mangini yelled.” #FinishHim pic.twitter.com/EDq1jwnztu
— Toucher and Rich (@Toucherandrich) September 29, 2021
Surely, these aren’t even the juiciest tidbits — if they were, why would anyone buy the whole thing?!
We’ve already been waiting years for this, and at long last, it seems as if we’re about to be provided with several insider curse words. The type of curse words that really take you inside the locker room.
And why even watch football if you’re not going to learn angry swears?
Patriots: Robert Kraft has best response possible to Tom Brady winning Super Bowl with Bucs
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wasn't happy to see Tom Brady leave, but he certainly believes the QB deserved to win the Super Bowl.