Jalen Mills couldn't contain his excitement when meeting New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
The defensive back, who recently signed a four-year, $24-million deal with the Patriots, recounted his first interaction with his new coach while speaking to reporters Monday.
"I'm about to walk out of the cafeteria, and I just heard, 'Hey Jalen.' So I turn around, and it's coach. And in my mind, I'm saying, 'OK, this is coach,' but it really didn't click that it's coach Belichick," Mills said, according to Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston.
"I literally turned my back to him, and I screamed out loud, like, 'This is coach Belichick.' Excuse my language, but like, 'This is f------ coach Belichick.' Like, I screamed it loud. And then I turned back around and he was still just, like, monotone, like regular, just still having a casual conversation with me when I'm freaking out.
"And I was like, 'My fault, coach. One more thing, I gotta cut you off. I don't want to disrespect you, but coach, you're a legend to me. I'm happy to be here.' He was like, 'Same, man. Happy for you to be here. Can't wait to get going and coach you up.' That was definitely a highlight of my moment outside of, of course, making it official and signing my contract, meeting him, and also meeting (team owner Robert) Kraft."
Mills, 26, spent the last five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, compiling 283 total tackles, 40 passes defended, five interceptions, and 1.5 sacks in 63 games.
