Belichick Says Trump Note More About Friendship Than Politics

FOXBOROUGH, MA — There was no we’re on to Seattle this time, just Seattle.

That’s the response that Patriots coach Bill Belichick gave to the media Wednesday when asked about a letter he wrote to Donald Trump.

The now President-elect read the note from Belichick during a rally Monday night, taking many Patriots fans by surprise that the coach would invite a distraction into the Gillette Stadium locker room. During his opening statement at his Wednesday press conference, Belichick said that his comments were about friendship and loyalty and not political, despite the letter, and a phone call from Tom Brady, being used as part of a speech during a large presidential rally.

“My comments aren’t politically motivated. I have a friendship and a loyalty to Donald," he said. "I write hundreds of letters and notes every month. It doesn’t mean I agree with every single thing that every person thinks about politics, religion or other subjects. But I have multiple friendships that are important to me and that’s what that was about. It’s not about politics. It’s about football."

He said that Secretary of State John Kerry, another friend, was in the locker room a couple weeks earlier, noting that the two couldn’t be any more different politically.

When someone asked if he was surprised or irate that Trump publicly read the letter, Belichick replied “Seattle.” Another reporter asked a related question about keeping away outside distractions that saw Belichick speak the word “Seattle” over the reporter several times.

Then he moved on and started talking about game planning for Richard Sherman and the rest of the Seahawks.

Media members made one ore run at the topic, asking Belichick to share a great memory he has with Trump and if his response of "Seattle" was an attempt to squash the noise.

"This is where we are. It’s Wednesday before Seattle. It’s Seattle," he said, just before leaving the podium.

Belichick's full comments can be seen here:

Image: File photo