Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll Trade Wits In Super Bowl Joint News Conference

PHOENIX — The mood Friday was a little lighter than most Bill Belichick news conferences.

The New England Patriots head coach and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll held a Super Bowl XLIX joint news conference, with Carroll making a few jokes about being fired by the Patriots in 2000, which led to Belichick’s hiring. Belichick mentioned that Patriots owner and CEO Robert Kraft gave up a first-round draft pick to acquire him from the Jets in 2000, which led to this exchange:

“You got a first-rounder for you?” Carroll asked. “Is that what you said? I was barely a free agent. Maybe that’s why Robert got me out of there after three years.”

“I was a free agent after Cleveland,” Belichick replied.

“I heard that,” Carroll joked.

Check out some other light moments from the joint presser:

(on the plan for Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman’s if his girlfriend goes into labor on Super Bowl Sunday)

Carroll: “We’ll see how that goes. Wish him luck. Can’t wait to see little Petey.”

(on how Carroll has changed since his time as New England’s head coach, and the ‘Do Your Job’ philosophy and how it applies to both teams)

Carroll: “I got pounded a couple times and got fired a couple times in the league. Everybody likes to have fun with that. My therapist tells me I should always talk about it and that I shouldn’t hide from it. It’s really been fantastic really and a fantastic place to start from.

Belichick: “I echo a lot of Pete’s comments as well. I’ve been fired a couple times myself. I’ve had a couple ups and downs there, but through it all there is always something to be gained and learned from those experiences. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

(on how officials will signal which receivers are eligible and which ones are not, how has the rule been officiated and if the NFL needs to do a better job with clarifying the rule) 

Belichick: “Well, I’ll start and say that’s not my job.”

(on what it signifies when a team is able to reach the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons and who from their immediate family will be at the game on Sunday)

Belichick: “My 84-year-old mom won’t be here. She’s in Annapolis. I know she’ll be yelling at the TV set all game. But I do miss that she won’t be here.”

(on one thing they want to establish early in the game)

Belichick: “What I’d like to establish is the lead.”

Thumbnail photo via Matt Slocum/Associated Press