‘He knew’ – Former Patriots star lifts lid on Bill Belichick’s’ role in iconic Super Bowl moment

Bill Belichick is widely regarded as one of the best head coaches in NFL history. Evidence of his impact on the sport is his New England Patriots, built alongside legendary quarterback Tom Brady , which saw them win six Super Bowls. Of those six titles, perhaps the most memorable moment came in Super Bowl XLIX with Malcolm Butler’s iconic play. In the closing moments, with the Seattle Seahawks inches from the end-zone, the Patriots lined-up in a goal line defense. Everyone expected Seattle to run the ball with Marshawn Lynch, but at the snap, Butler broke on the ball. The Pats DB read the play perfectly, and as Russell Wilson targeted Ricardo Lockette, up stepped Butler to secure the famous interception. It ended the game, sealing the victory for the Patriots, and cemented Butler’s place in Super Bowl history. But, for Belichick, it was a stroke of coaching genius that defined his legendary tenure, as former Patriots running back Shane Vereen explained. “That kind of level of preparation is what it takes, it’s what it takes to be a champion,” Vereen told Will Gavin and Efe Obada on talkSPORT’s Inside the NFL show . “The week leading up to that game, Bill was doing his morning meeting and talking with the offense and when he was talking with the defense, for some reason I was paying attention. “I will never forget this because it stuck out to me when he said it, he was like ‘for whatever reason this season this offensive coordinator has called pass on second down inside the five yard line this entire year, 100 percent of the time’ “I was like that is so specific, how does he know that? That wasn’t the first time where Bill’s talking to us about how a game is going to play out. Vereen spent four seasons with the Patriots, working with Belichick between 2011 and 2014. He posted 77 yards from scrimmage in the Super Bowl LXIX victory, including a career-high 11 catches for 64 yards. Belichick continued to coach for the Patriots until January 2024, finishing his 24 seasons as head coach with six Vince Lombardis and an overall record of 266-121. He currently coaches in college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, who currently sit at 4-2 overall in 2026. Earlier this year, Belichick was controversially snubbed of Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement at his first opportunity. “Absolutely, that was gross,” Vereen said when asked about Belichick not making the HOF. Six trophies, countless wins and a legacy that needs no plaque. Whatever the Hall of Fame voters decide this year, Sign up for talkSPORT Stateside , the YouTube channel dedicated to passionate US Sports fans. Will Gavin, Brian T. Smith, former NFL star Efe Obada and a collection of special guests debate the biggest talking points across the NFL, soccer, NBA and more.