Deeply concerned friends of Bill Belichick fear he is irreparably damaging his reputation by placing it in the hands of his 49-years-younger girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
But the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that the eight-time Super Bowl winner, 73, doesn’t want to hear it.
Belichick’s catastrophic CBS interview on Sunday, during which he squirmed at being grilled on his love life with Hudson, 24, before she shut down a question about how they met from off-camera, has propelled their relationship back into the spotlight.
Described as ‘a constant presence’ by interviewer Tony Dokoupil, it later emerged the former cheerleader stormed out and delayed proceedings for 30 minutes and that Belichick’s friends have since ‘gently’ asked him to consider how positive her influence is.
They have been left in no doubt by Belichick’s response.
‘He is not paying much attention to them,’ a source told the Daily Mail. ‘He is letting the moment ride out. It hasn’t hampered their relationship negatively.’
Bill Belichick has no concerns over the backlash from his CBS interview over the weekend
Girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 24, muscled in as he was asked about their relationship together
Friends fear Belichick is damaging his reputation by placing it in the hands of Hudson
‘Bill is one to move on very quickly from adversity and doesn’t allow it to creep in,’ the source added. ‘When it comes to this situation, it is just a moment in time. He and Jordon are fine and nobody should be concerned at this point.’
The fallout threatens to veer into Belichick’s distinguished coaching career, too. Multiple reports have said that the University of North Carolina is growing uneasy with Hudson’s involvement in his day-to-day management.
Emails revealed Belichick, who started as UNC’s head coach last December, asked for Hudson to be included on every message the school sent him about running the team, while footage went viral of her repeatedly rushing over to talk to him during a recent spring training camp.
But for Belichick, the critics will serve as motivation. ‘Bill has had his host of detractors over the years that are chomping at the bit to see him struggle at UNC,’ the source continued.
‘Lots of people want to see him lose a little of his luster that he has built for himself, being arguably the greatest coach of all time. The CBS interview was a good first step to find some cracks in the armor.’
The backlash was undeniably intense. Businessman Dave Portnoy, a New England Patriots fan and one of Belichick’s biggest admirers, said it was ‘the most awkward Belichick interview I have ever seen.’
Belichick, however, has never been famous for his media skills. The couple are apparently not concerned by what, to everyone else at least, looks a deeply awkward and humiliating scene.
‘Bill and Jordon are living their best lives right now and are laughing over the controversy,’ the source added.
Belichick’s partnership with Tom Brady at the Patriots made him NFL’s most successful coach
Now at college level with North Carolina, striking footage recently emerged of Hudson by Belichick’s side as he coach the team at a spring camp
But Belichick and Hudson are unconcerned by the backlash over the CBS interview
‘They didn’t put much thought into it after it happened on the day. The way it is being made to look isn’t testing their relationship. They are mostly unfazed by it all.
‘Bill has had plenty of drama with the media sent his way and the latest heat he has been getting about his relationship is what it is.
‘They are in love and happy and they aren’t going to let talk ruin a good thing.’
As the scrutiny continued to intensify, the couple were pictured in New York on Monday night stepping out of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton in Manhattan.
Belichick was dressed in a suit while Hudson was wearing a glamorous black dress.
Both of them ignored questions about their interview backlash as they got into a waiting car.
