Fans see Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll on the sideline and assume the two coaches couldn’t be more different. The former is sour and grouchy, while the latter looks loose and happy-go-lucky.
Appearances can be deceiving, former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe warns. The retired signal-caller, who played under both Belichick and Carroll with the New England Patriots, said Monday that the coaches are more alike than they seem.
“There are a lot more similarities between the two guys than there are differences,” Bledsoe said on ESPN Radio’s “The Herd.” “The differences are purely stylistic, but the substance is very, very similar. Pete, you watch his press conferences and hear the way he talks and I think people could have the impression that he’s this happy-go-lucky, kind of crazy guy. But Pete’s got an edge to him. I played for him. I’ve seen it.”
It goes both ways, according to Bledsoe. While Carroll has his grim moments, Belichick also can be lovable. As proof, Bledsoe remembered the coach running over to give him a hug on the sideline of a game this season.
So is Carroll secretly the real hardo and Belichick actually warm and cuddly? We’ll hold off adjusting our opinion just yet.
Thumbnail photos via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images and Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports Images
