Rivalries are a common thing in the NFL. Even arguments between players on the same team are not that big a deal these days. But what do you do when a coach goes against another coach from the same team? And that too, right in the middle of an AFC Divisional round game? Back in the late 90s, that’s exactly what went down between two Jets coaches – Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. And the NFL legend who saw it unfold firsthand has now shared the story with the world.

Now, Parcells has always been a no-hold-barred kind of guy. Bill Belichick has his own way of doing things. We now know him as one of the best coaches the NFL has ever seen. But there’s a ton of history with these two that goes farther than when they became a part of the Jets. Belichick had been the assistant coach under Parcells through their years with the Giants and Patriots. And at the time of their scuffle? It was HC Parcells vs. defensive coordinator Bill Belichick. Ring the bell, folks. The match is about to begin.

Keyshawn Johnson, former Jets WR legend, has the story for everyone. On the Games With Names podcast, Johnson talked about the legendary Bill Parcells vs. Bill Belichick. Cue the TARDIS, let’s take you back in time. The scene opens in 1998, the AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Jaguars. As Johnson remembered it, “I was supposed to go in the game. Be the safety. Parcells and Belichick got into it and it was the craziest s— I ever seen on the sideline between two coaches ever. Belichick didn’t want to put me in, and Parcells wanted to put me in. Belichick said ‘no’ and they went right up the rail. – Bomb. Touchdown. – Parcells just lit his a– up.” Being caught between Parcells and Belichick wasn’t what Johnson expected to see in his very first playoff game.

Keyshawn Johnson went on to add, “I was standing there ready to go in, and he was like ‘no’, and Parcells told him something to the effect of, – ‘You’re a f—— genius huh? You think you know everything. That’s why you f—— got fired from Cleveland.’” But Johnson proved Belichick wrong in a big way. He got an interception after the argument. In the whole game, he caught nine sweet passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. That’s all? No. Add to that 28 yards, a touchdown, and a fumble recovery, and you can see how Parcells made the right call here.

There’s another story that came up on the Games With Names podcast. It was the story of how Bill Belichick became the head coach for the Jets and immediately resigned. Keyshawn Johnson is spilling all the beans, and the fans can’t get enough.

Bill Belichick’s historic Jets resignation

Bill Belichick was historically the HC for the Jets for one glorious day. Not because he couldn’t do it. But simply because he didn’t want to do it. If you remember, Belichick wrote his resignation on a piece of napkin. He announced his resignation and gave a one-hour-long speech to the media. The words on the napkin? “I resign as HC of the NYJ.” While the reasons around Belichick quitting remain one of the most talked-about mysteries in the NFL, Keyshawn Johnson remembers the day like it was yesterday.

“I went to the facility – They’re like ‘press conference is upstairs.’ I’m like, ‘what’s going on?’ They said ‘I think Bills getting ready to retire.’ ‘The f— you mean?’ – now, Berj is taking me back down to the team room, and here comes Belichick. Got the little napkin. And he’s reading, and the media’s there. And I’m like, ‘What the f— just happened?’” Belichick’s resignation came as a shock to the entire NFL. Specifically, the Jets, since they were left with nobody to lead them. Johnson further added, “And so I’m talking to John Lott – strength coach at the time – he’s like ‘Belichick doesn’t want the job now.’ ‘The f— you mean he just took the job.’ ‘No he didn’t take the job. He didn’t want the job.’ So now at this point it’s all chaotic and crazy and I’m like ‘damn what we going to do?’”

What did they do? AL Groh took over as HC for the 2000 season. Soon after the resignation bombshell, Belichick became the HC for the Patriots. It wasn’t an easy deal for the Patriots, either. The Jets said Belichick was still under their contract and asked for compensation. They got it, too. The Patriots gave the Jets a first-round pick in exchange for their new head coach. Arguably, that was the best decision the Patriots ever made. They won three Super Bowls under Belichick’s leadership. And the rest is golden NFL history.