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Bill Belichick Steals Show on ‘College Gameday,’ Makes Army-Navy Pick With 1962 Helmet

The New England Patriots coach went full Lee Corso while making his Army-Navy pick for ESPN.
Tim Capurso|
Bill Belichick Steals Show on ‘College Gameday,’ Makes Army-Navy Pick With 1962 Helmet
Bill Belichick Steals Show on ‘College Gameday,’ Makes Army-Navy Pick With 1962 Helmet

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Army West Point Black KnightsNavy MidshipmenNew England Patriots

Ever since Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was announced as the guest picker for ESPN’s College Gameday telecast ahead of the Army-Navy game on Saturday, both college football and NFL fans awaited the moment with curiosity. After all, Belichick is notorious for showing the world as little of his emotion and personality as possible.

But the longtime Patriots coach, who has a soft spot for the Midshipmen, given that his father, Steve, served as a Navy assistant coach for many years, delighted fans with his thoughts about the iconic college football rivalry series. 

Perhaps the most stunning moment came when it was time for Belichick to make his pick. With beloved analyst Lee Corso sitting next to him, Belichick went full Corso, donning a 1962 Navy helmet while picking the Midshipmen over the Black Knights. 

Fans absolutely loved it. 

Not only were fans shocked to see Belichick, with a genuine smile on his face, carry on the headgear tradition that Corso has made famous on College Gameday, but they also were amazed to see some of his personality shine through. 

It’s been a tough year for Belichick’s Patriots, though they did manage to pull off an upset win over the Steelers on Thursday night to improve to 3–10 this season. Perhaps the six-time Super Bowl winner was still riding the high of that victory on Saturday morning. 

Either way, it’s clear Belichick has a future as a television analyst if he chooses to go that route when he’s ultimately done coaching. 

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.

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