When the New England Patriots take the field on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, their uniforms will finally feature a detail the rest of the NFL already sported.
During Bill Belichick's tenure, team captains did not wear the "C" patch that the rest of the league donned on their uniforms. That now changes with the first year of the Jerod Mayo regime when the Patriots begin the regular season after announcing captains on Monday.
"The captains for this year's team -- which this year they'll have their Cs; I do think it's important to have the 'C' on the jerseys," Mayo told reporters on Monday, per team-provided transcript. "That's one difference I think is important."
New England's captains for 2024 consist of David Andrews, Jabrill Peppers, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Cardona, Ja'Whaun Bentley and Deatrich Wise Jr. Mayo, a team captain during his own playing career, recognized the value of those deserving players embracing the honor.
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"Yeah, I was a captain seven out of eight years, which once again, whatever happens inside the building, that's always the most important thing," Mayo shared. "But I do think it's like a badge of honor. It's a bade of honor, and I think when guys do the right thing, they should be recognized for those things. It's something as small as having the captain's patch, I think it's important for those guys."
The Patriots enter a new era in their Week 1 battle with the Bengals on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Featured image via Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports Images
