NFL QB makes powerful statement about former Tennessee Vols standout Jerod Mayo
Former Tennessee Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo took over as the head coach of the New England Patriots this offseason after Bill Belichick's legendary run with the franchise ended. Following in a legend's footsteps is never easy, but the Mayo era in New England got off to a great start on Sunday thanks to an upset […]
Former Tennessee Vols linebacker Jerod Mayo took over as the head coach of the New England Patriots this offseason after Bill Belichick's legendary run with the franchise ended.
Following in a legend's footsteps is never easy, but the Mayo era in New England got off to a great start on Sunday thanks to an upset win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett got the start for the Patriots and after the game he explained how Mayo's pregame pep talk made a huge impact on him.
"I think I cried three times before the game," said Brissett (via NBC Sports Boston). "I cried when I got to the stadium. Mayo came up to me before the game, he started laughing, and he's like, 'Man, you're about to win us this game. You're about to ball out.'"
"I'd never heard that from a coach," added Brissett. "That meant a lot to me. And then I cried when we were going out there on offense. My emotions were definitely high. It's definitely a moment that I just can't take for granted. These things don't come by often."
Mayo is very much a Bill Belichick disciple. He played for Belichick for eight seasons. And then he spent five years as an assistant coach on Belichick's staff. All Mayo knows as an NFL player/coach is "The Patriot Way".
But while Mayo may be one of the members of the Belichick coaching tree, he's not trying to be Belichick. He's doing things his own way. His powerful pre-game pep talk with Brissett is proof of that.
And the Patriots' 16-10 win against the Bengals is proof that Mayo's way can work in New England.
It's just one game. But man, what a start for Mayo as a head coach. Mayo has been viewed as a future star head coach for several years. And now that he's getting his chance, he's proving that folks were right to believe in him.
