New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe and head coach Bill Belichick are replacing handshakes with hugs following their viral postgame celebration earlier this month.
A video posted after the Patriots' Week 14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers showed an enthusiastic Zappe hugging offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien before walking over to Belichick and sharing a formal handshake with him.
The difference between how Zappe greeted O’Brien and then Belichick after Thursday’s win is just so good.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) December 8, 2023
O’Brien? Like he’s one of the boys.
Belichick? Like he’s Zappe’s military father-in-law who will never forgive Zappe for not asking for his blessing.
(via @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/7QEn0NeUvV
Zappe and Belichick appeared a lot more chummy on Sunday, though. The two were filmed hugging in the locker room after the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos.
How do we feel about a Christmas Eve dub? pic.twitter.com/cUkUeVZJpB
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 25, 2023
Zappe addressed the exchange Tuesday on WEEI's "Jones & Mego" show, saying he suggested to Belichick that they go in for the hug.
"The handshake thing and everything, I told him when I was walking in after the Broncos game he like reached out for the handshake and I was like, 'Ah, coach, no more handshakes. Let's go for a hug,'" Zappe said. "So that's kind of how that all happened.
"It's awesome to be coached by one of the greatest - or the greatest - of all time. So I come to the building every day happy to be able to learn from him and kind of just be a sponge and listen to everything he has to say about the entirety of the game of football."
Zappe is 2-2 since taking over starting duties from Mac Jones this season. He's completed 63.5% of his passes for 975 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions.
