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Bill Belichick Steals Show on ‘College Gameday,’ Makes Army-Navy Pick With 1962 Helmet
Ever since Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was announced as the guest picker for ESPN’s College Gameday telecast ahead of the Army-Navy game on Saturday, both college football and NFL fans awaited the moment with curiosity. After all, Belichick is notorious for showing the world as little of his emotion and personality as possible.
But the longtime Patriots coach, who has a soft spot for the Midshipmen, given that his father, Steve, served as a Navy assistant coach for many years, delighted fans with his thoughts about the iconic college football rivalry series.
Perhaps the most stunning moment came when it was time for Belichick to make his pick. With beloved analyst Lee Corso sitting next to him, Belichick went full Corso, donning a 1962 Navy helmet while picking the Midshipmen over the Black Knights.
Bill Belichick took a page out of Coach’s book and brought his own headgear 😂#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/ttcth1EAP5
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 9, 2023
Fans absolutely loved it.
I'll admit, Bill on Gameday was cool to watch
— Brandon Wilcox (@wrandonbilcox) December 9, 2023
I'm just here for Bill Belichick wearing a 1962 Navy helmet on the @CollegeGameDay set.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 9, 2023
Bill Belichick is living his best life right now pic.twitter.com/ZTbm88MK4c
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) December 9, 2023
That was a good segment.
— Brad Venuti (@bradv75) December 9, 2023
Not only were fans shocked to see Belichick, with a genuine smile on his face, carry on the headgear tradition that Corso has made famous on College Gameday, but they also were amazed to see some of his personality shine through.
Bill Belichick talking and smiling and messing around… what alternate universe is this??? pic.twitter.com/W0wgshb7U8
— Colleen Wolfe (@ColleenWolfe) December 9, 2023
It’s been a tough year for Belichick’s Patriots, though they did manage to pull off an upset win over the Steelers on Thursday night to improve to 3–10 this season. Perhaps the six-time Super Bowl winner was still riding the high of that victory on Saturday morning.
Either way, it’s clear Belichick has a future as a television analyst if he chooses to go that route when he’s ultimately done coaching.
Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.