FOXBOROUGH, Mass – Tons of hands were raised as numerous reporters showed up at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday to ask New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo questions at his introductory press conference. 

But there was one who stood out from the others, and brought a special smile to Mayo's face. 

In the back of the room, Devin McCourty's voice was loud as he took the microphone and asked the new head coach a question. The former player turned analyst, put on his reporter hat for this one. 

While many of the questions Mayo and owner Robert Kraft were asked centered around what's next for the team, starting with the coordinator positions, McCourty went in a different direction. 

His question centered more around this big accomplishment for Mayo. 

"Have you taken the time — I know obviously a huge opportunity, and everyone wants to — who's the coordinators, who's this, Xs and Os, but have you had the opportunity to celebrate with your family and really soak in the opportunity being the first Black coach, all the lessons you've learned being here, have you had that opportunity, whether tonight, 10 minutes, to really enjoy and take on what you're about to do next," McCourty asked. 

And Mayo's answer didn't disappoint. 

"I haven't had that opportunity, but we're turning it up tonight, back to work tomorrow.”

McCourty was drafted by the Patriots two seasons after Mayo was, and the two had the opportunity to play together for six years. The former New England safety was also still on the team when Mayo returned and joined the coaching staff. 

So he has seen it all, and knows that there is no one better for the job. 

“What I’ve always loved about Mayo was he’s going to tell it how it is. And I think sometimes with younger coaches, we kind of label them as the friendly, they’re gonna be buddy, buddy with the guys," McCourty said to reporters after the press conference. "He’s always been that guy out in front. So I don’t think that’ll ever be an issue for him. I think he’ll have no problem addressing guy the way that he feels is necessary to go out there and win football games

"But I think he has a side of him that he understands how to relate to guys, how to relate not just players, but how to relate to everybody in the building," he added. “But no matter what, any industry, any room he’s in, he somehow commands the room and relates to everybody. And I think it’s a weird thing to say, but I think he’s going to CEO vibe as a coach. Not just the meathead, former football player.”

Devin McCourty shuts down any rumors about returning to Patriots to coach

Putting an end to all that.