New England Patriots fans voted Mike Vrabel into the organization’s Hall of Fame last month. Bill Belichick appears to approve of the honor.
Per ABC’s Ian Steele, Belichick praised his former linebacker and current Tennesee Titans head coach on Tuesday.
“I love Mike and what he did for us here. … He gave us a lot of leadership with a lot of energy, toughness, and football character,” Belichick said. “He was a great addition.”
Bill Belichick on Patriots HOFer Mike Vrabel.
Says he brought “football character.”
Proud all of the defensive players are getting red jackets. @abc6 #foreverne pic.twitter.com/ktXBERXOr9
— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) June 13, 2023
After four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Patriots signed Vrabel in 2001. He elevated into a versatile starter who played inside and outside linebacker.
Vrabel recorded 606 tackles, 48 sacks, and 13 forced fumbles in eight seasons with the Patriots and left with three Super Bowl rings.
Belichick said he’s followed Vrabel’s coaching career since he joined Ohio State as an assistant in 2011. He spent four seasons with the Houston Texans, including one as the defensive coordinator, before becoming Tennesee’s head coach in 2018.
Belichick is happy to see another one of his former players make the team’s Hall of Fame. Vrabel joins Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, Rodney Harrison, Willie McGinest, and other key contributors from his legendary coaching tenure.
“There are a lot of great Patriots from my era as a coach in the Hall of Fame,” Belichick said. “I’m proud to put another one in, especially on the defensive side of the ball there. We got a lot of them—[Richard] Seymour, [Tedy] Bruschi, Vince [Wilfork], I think there’s a couple more we need to get in there.”
Belichick and Vrabel will get a chance to catch up when the Patriots and Titans hold two joint practices in August before their preseason game.