Amendola Shares How Belichick Always Prepares for Slick Arizona Field

The Patriots coach has one rule when his team played on the slick turf in Arizona.
Amendola Shares How Belichick Always Prepares for Slick Arizona Field
Amendola Shares How Belichick Always Prepares for Slick Arizona Field /
In this story:

The field conditions in Arizona for Super Bowl LVII earlier this month became a popular topic of conversation, as multiple players on the Eagles and Chiefs were slipping and sliding all over the playing surface at State Farm Stadium.

The conditions were so poor that they received widespread criticism from NFL players and fans alike who were tuned in to the big game.

Former Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola joined the Green Light podcast with Chris Long, and explained Bill Belichick’s approach to his teams playing on the road in Arizona.

“Bill made it a mandatory seven-stud game,” Amendola said, referring to the number of spikes players needed on their cleats. “We were all b------- and moaning, but we didn’t have too many slips. … On that surface, you’ve got to switch the tires out and put the seven studs in. I feel like you get a lot better traction. You don’t feel like you can play as fast in them, but at the same time, you’re chopping it up, you’re gripping the turf.”

Amendola went on to say that any players in the Super Bowl between the Eagles and Chiefs who were struggling with traction were likely “wearing the wrong tires.”

Belichick is widely considered to be the greatest coach of all time, and his approach to field conditions at a given stadium is a testament to how detail-oriented he has been in his Hall of Fame career.


Published
Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.