Unlikely source reveals reason behind Bill Belichick's dislike for the media

When it was announced he would be leaving the New England Patriots after serving as the head coach for 24 years, most wondered where Bill Belichick would wind up next. He made it clear he wanted to continue coaching, so when he didn't land a gig with another team, besides being shocking, there was speculation about what the next step of his career might be.

In a move that not a single person could have guessed, Belichick decided to take on several opportunities in the media, the first of which was joining ESPN's the "Pat McAfee Show" every Monday this fall. We then learned he would also appear on Eli and Peyton Manning's "ManningCast" during the upcoming season and co-host "Inside the NFL" on the CW.

The decision to become a media analyst and personality was an unexpected career trajectory for the often tight-lipped head coach, who became known for his disdain for the media.

Some felt it showed hypocrisy from Belichick and news outlets, who often dealt with a lack of interest from Belichick in communicating with them while he was coaching. But during his media tour this offseason, we've seen a side of him that only players experienced behind the scenes throughout his career, and we've learned Belichick is far more charismatic and funny than we could have imagined.

Several current and former players have said there was a humor to Belichick that isn't shared with anyone outside Gillette Stadium, but now we're finally seeing it. It makes you question why he hid it for so long, which was recently explained by an unlikely source.

Bill Belichick's past comments to reporters came back to haunt him and changed his approach to interviews forever

Among the several headline-worthy comments made during his recent appearance on the "Shut Up Marc" podcast, Matthew Judon revealed the little-known backstory to why Belichick remained so guarded and unforthcoming when speaking to the media.

It might be the first time we've ever gotten a proper explanation for it besides assuming Belichick just didn't want to give out too much information to reporters and the Patriots' opponents, and Judon's comments make a lot of sense as to why the head coach became so reserved over the years.

“Belichick (is) a cool dude. A lot of people might not think of it like that because he’s so dry and he was so monotone in his interviews. But now that he’s not in that light no more, he’s showing more of his personality. He’s showing more of his charisma and stuff that he showed in the meeting rooms. He told us (he didn’t show personality) because when he was coaching under (Bill) Parcels, he had said something about a player and the media turned it around on him. Now he was like ‘I’m never gonna say nothing else again.’ I think he just got a base taste of media.”

Given how visceral the media could be during the Belichick-Tom Brady era, it's unsurprising it only took one twisting of words for the head coach to decide he wouldn't ever willingly give them something they could make into a story.

Besides the controversies the Patriots dealt with over the last two decades, reporters were not always expressing the kindest words about the staff or the team, so Belichick's attempt to combat that by providing as little information as possible when at the podium, which he also extended to the players, explains a lot.

Had this been known much sooner, perhaps Belichick would have been better understood by those prodding him for answers. The same could be said about the players not giving much detail in answers, especially Brady, which became known as the "Patriot Way."

Regardless, this clears up a lot about Belichick's approach to the media and maybe his decision to join them is more about if you can't beat them, join them.

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