Mike Vrabel Clears Patriots’ Final Stance on Bill Belichick After Ousted HC Took Strict Action Against Them

“It’s clear I’m not welcome there at their facility. So they’re not welcome at ours. It’s pretty simple.” The words have been bouncing around loudly from Chapel Hill to Foxborough. Bill Belichick’s decision to restrict New England Patriots scouts from the UNC campus has turned a simmering feud into football’s latest spectacle. The message is crystal clear: Belichick’s not about to let old employer-turned-rival come sniffing around for talent or trade secrets. And especially after being fired. But wait, that’s not the whole story.

Robert Kraft, the billionaire business-savvy owner of the Patriots, had said in a June podcast that hiring Belichick back in 2000 was a gamble. But on the surface, Kraft spun it with polished diplomacy—publicly saying it was a “mutual” parting of ways. After more than two decades, six Super Bowl rings, and an estimated $200 million earned under the Kraft family’s watchful eye, Bill Belichick’s last season circled the drain to a 4-13 finish. It culminated in a stomach-churning loss to the division rival Jets. The season was so rough, Kraft eventually admitted he “fired” Belichick. But it’s just that.

Belichick seems to be capitalizing on a bit of a misunderstanding fueled by ego. The Patriots have not officially banned Bill Belichick from their Foxborough facilities. In fact, the Patriots welcomed him publicly, inviting him to Tom Brady’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Patriots’ now HC, Mike Vrabel, set the record straight on The Greg Hill Show. “Nothing surprises me,” he said. “I would imagine that Bill came back for, to the best of my knowledge, Tom’s ceremony. So I guess he’s welcome back based on the fact that he was there. So I’ll just go by that.” And sure enough, Belichick didn’t just make a cameo at Brady’s induction ceremony. 

He stood right next to the GOAT himself, soaking up the spotlight. And not just that, he also gave a killer speech at the ceremony. So, the UNC HC is pushing a misunderstanding by claiming Belichick is banned from the facility. Yes, sure, your Patriots’ key card might not work, and that may cause a hindrance for you to shop there. But let’s face it, you are fired! Not Banned! Just fired. Meanwhile, to ease the sourness, Kraft has been playing the diplomat. Amid the frosty air between him and Belichick, Kraft tried to thaw things, promising to immortalize the legendary coach with a statue right next to Brady’s at Gillette Stadium.

“When that great 20-year era ended, it was always my intention to commission a statue for both Tommy and Bill when their respective careers were over, playing and coaching,” Kraft said. “When Bill’s coaching career ends, we look forward to sitting down with him and having a statue made to be right next to Tommy.” At least the owner is making an effort to save the 24-year relationship built on championships and shared glory. But as the Patriots found themselves cut out from UNC’s practice fields, they didn’t seem fazed. The team quickly started brainstorming other ways to scout Tar Heel players. “Oh, no, that’s an individual choice and we’ll cross that bridge when we start looking at players,” Vrabel declared when asked if he had any comment on the reports.

“I want to focus on our football team, and that’s their prerogative to make the decisions they feel are best for them. And then we’ll have to find other ways to get the information for any players that we want to look at in North Carolina.” Other NFL teams have faced restrictions, too, but the Patriots refuse to let this scouting snub slow their pursuit of promising players.

Could UNC’s ban lead to a lawsuit?

Bill Belichick’s decision to ban New England Patriots scouts from UNC has stirred up more than just chatter. And it’s also flashing legal warning signs that could land UNC in hot water. The Patriots are reportedly considering legal action against Belichick and the university. The situation raises serious legal questions tied to the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Because UNC is a state institution, its football program must follow the rules that govern state entities.

That means any access the program grants to one NFL team must be extended fairly to all teams. And if not, it should be denied universally. According to legal experts, the selective ban is essentially a form of discrimination since the Patriots have a legitimate need to scout UNC players, just like every other NFL team. While UNC’s practice facilities aren’t open to the general public, denying special access to one team while allowing others access is a different beast altogether.

The Patriots are reportedly weighing the option to file a lawsuit that could not only challenge the ban but also seek an injunction. That is, basically, a court order forcing UNC and Belichick to allow their scouts back in. They could also aim to recover legal fees associated with the fight. Moreover, these restrictions might ultimately hurt UNC players’ chances of making it to the NFL.