Bill Belichick has weathered his share of scorn for his sideline wardrobe choices. The Patriots' coach, who prefers to prove himself with championships rather than couture (he leaves that to his quarterback), does not often change up his Sunday uniform. Baggy gray sweatshirt with cutoff sleeves. End of story. Comfort is key, especially in stressful situations, such as trying to figure out a way to stop the NFL’s best offenses.
This week, Belichick found a kindred spirit in Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon, who received a slap on the wrist from Major League Baseball following a weekend series in cold, blistery Boston in which he sported a sweatshirt instead of a traditional jacket. His reasoning? It was cold, of course. Boston is not an easy place to play baseball in April.
MLB quickly reversed its ruling against the hoodie, but prior to the about-face, Maddon asked for support from the world of professional sports’ most renowned sweatshirt lover.
Belichick came through for his comrade, sending Maddon a Patriots sweatshirt emblazoned with his initials. An intractable alliance was formed, and Maddon plans to return the favor by sending Belichick his very own Rays sweatshirt. (Now, the question remains, will Belichick actually wear an article of clothing supporting the Red Sox’ Public Enemy No. 2?)
In other news, Paul Pierce is done caring about LeBron James’ alleged injury, Shawn Thornton will do anything in the name of the team and Marc Savard is amped to return to the ice, if a bit winded.
"Being as we're in the same neck of the woods right now … [Bill Belichick]'s probably a little busy right now, although I really could use the support."
–Rays manager Joe Maddon, requesting support from his fellow fashion maven
"That's why I have this ring on my finger, boys."
–Bruins forward Shawn Thornton, brandishing his 2007 Stanley Cup ring, on his willingness to take a seat as a healthy scratch when Marc Savard returns to action
"I could really care less about his elbow."
–Celtics forward Paul Pierce, on maintaining his focus amid rumors that Cavaliers star LeBron James could be nursing an elbow injury
"[Wednesday], I guess, was my last kind of test. A little bit felt like the Boston Marathon, Heartbreak Hill or whatever it’s called."
–Marc Savard, on being cleared to play for the first time since suffering a Grade 2 concussion almost two months ago
"I couldn’t tell you what the formula for my un-success last year was."
–Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, on NESN, when asked if his struggles this year are similar to what he faced at the beginning of last season
"It's not very complicated. Jaso, he's hot."
— Maddon, in the AP, on continuing to start catcher John Jaso even after suspended catcher Dioner Navarro was eligible to return
"She's broken too many. I probably have 400 trophies and about a hundred of them broke. I'd come downstairs, and she'd try to glue them back together, but it was too late. I didn't care about it. But the main important trophies, we're going to put them in a glass case for her."
–NBA Rookie of the Year winner Tyreke Evans, in the AP, on his mother
"Some people watch adult videos on their computer. I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me aroused."
–Lions coach Jim Schwartz, on Yahoo Sports, on his newest draft pick
"Yeah, I think the first couple of days I was out there, I was like, 'Jesus, this is going to take awhile.' I am not going to be a savior or anything and go out, you know, and get three goals in the first game. I would like to, but I don't think that it is going to happen."
–Savard, on having realistic expectations for his return to the team
"You have to check your ego at the door."
–Hawks guard Jamal Crawford, in the AP, on how he won this year’s NBA Sixth Man Award
