Why did Patriots HC Bill Belichick force the team to return to the field?

The New England Patriots beat the Cleveland Browns with ease this past weekend, 38-15. However, rarely after a win has a coach ever made his team return to the field. Yet, Patriots HC Bill Belichick forced his players to walk back out to the FirstEnergy Stadium prior to boarding the buses, reported Zack Cox for NESN.

While this appears to be absurd, many failed to realize this was a history lesson being given by Belichick. He wanted his players to look and acknowledge the Cleveland Browns’ ring of honor and appreciate how these individuals changed the game of football. The players Belichick spotlighted were Jim Brown, Paul Brown Ozzie Newsom, Bill Willis, and Marion Motley.

Bill Belichick’s Admiration for the history of the game

Belichick admires that many of his players are involved in social justice reform and inequality. Therefore, he believed it’d be a great idea to expose them to pioneers of the game who not only affected football but also provoked change within society as well.

"“As many know, our players are very active in social justice and inequality and things like that,” Belichick explained to the media. after New England’s 38-15 victory. “I told them how important five of those names are. All of them are great players up there and great people up there, so I’m not saying that. But there are five that, to me, really, absolutely stand out on the Mount Rushmore of this conversation."

"“Paul Brown for reintegrating the NFL. He came into the NFL through the All-American Conference with Bill Willis and Marion Motley. So those three. Then, of course, Ozzie Newsome was one of the first Black players at Alabama and one of the great ones. Great player, a great general manager, great person. Then, of course, the great Jim Brown. He kind of stands above everybody with what he’s done for equality, what he stands for, what he was as a football player, what he is as a man.”“Paul Brown took a lot of courage to do what he did,” he said. “Took a lot of courage to do what Willis and Motley did. Lot of courage to do what Ozzie did. It took a lot of courage for Jim Brown to do what he did. I told (the players) I thought they should go out there and just think for a minute about some of the sacrifices that those guys made. Not on the field, not just as players, but as people and what they stood for.”"

What’s Belichick’s connection to Browns’ RB Jim Brown?

While leaving Cleveland, Bill Belichick made sure to stop the buses to make sure they visit the Jim Brown statue and tribute en route to the airport. The statue is located directly outside of the stadium, similarly, to Kobe Bryant outside the Crypt.com Arena, according to Scott Zolak.

Belichick began his head coaching career with the Cleveland Browns in the 90s, however, he never coached Brown. Over the years, they’ve established a great deal of respect for one another and they support each other wholeheartedly.

While both are legendary one continues to keep growing his legacy. This upcoming Monday night, Belichick will have the opportunity to become the second-most winningest coach in NFL history. As of now, he’s tied with former HC of the Chicago Bears George Halas with 324 wins.