First-year Patriots learning Bill Belichick’s rules about snow

Author Alex Barth

January 6th, 2022 4:39 PM

The Patriots may not be playing at home in Week 18, but that doesn’t mean Friday’s impending snowstorm isn’t something the team needs to prepare for – especially with Bill Belichick leading the way.

Snow is no excuse for being late at One Patriots Place. Stories about Belichick disciplining players are often shared by Patriots fans, but it appears the head coach passes them on to his current players as examples as well.

Speaking with the media Thursday morning, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was asked if Belichick has filled the team in on his snow policy, ahead of the first major snowstorm of the year. “You must have been in our meeting this morning,” Godchaux replies, unable to resist a smile even before the question was finished.

Godchaux grew up in southern Louisiana, attended LSU, then was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. The six to 10 inches of snow predicted for Foxborough will likely be a new experience for the 27-year-old, who signed with the Patriots this offseason.

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  "Just talking about getting ready for the snow - I live in an apartment complex right now, so I'm sure they'll have all that under control in the morning when I wake up," Godchaux shared. "But I plan on waking up like an hour ahead and defrosting my windows and leaving early. I've never been in snow driving to the practice facility so I look forward to seeing that tomorrow. So I've got to get up early to make sure I won't be late to meetings and be on time because he already gave us the snow speech. I don't want to be that guy."
  
  What does it mean to 'be that guy?' In 2009, Belichick famously sent four players home for arriving late to meetings despite a winter storm that hit during morning rush hour. Those sent home included star wide receiver Randy Moss, and linebacker Adalius Thomas. "What do you do? It's not the Jetsons, I can't jump up and just fly," Thomas famously said at the time in regards to being stuck in traffic. "What the heck am I supposed to do?"
  
  Four years later, linebacker Brandon Spikes found himself stuck in his driveway during a snowstorm. He was late to the facility that day, and almost cut because of it.
  
  Long-time Patriots know the drill. A few years ago, running back Kevin Faulk shared a story of running to the facility in his slippers. The Patriots have also been known to give rookies snow brushes for their cars.

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  Speaking of rookies, running back Rhamondre Stevenson isn't about to get caught off guard thanks to help from the rest of the roster. "You can't be late to anything. So, with that being said, all of the older guys, they say 'you've got this, you've got that.' Just making sure I have all the tools I need to make it here on time," he shared Wednesday afternoon.
  
  The best advice he got? "Keep a snow shovel," which the 23-year-old had to go out and buy. It's not something he would have needed playing high school football in Las Vegas, or college ball at Oklahoma.
  
  That being said, not all of the new Patriots are new to harsh winter weather. Linebacker Matthew Judon, who attended high school and college (Grand Valley State) in Michigan doesn't expect Friday to be a departure from the norm.
  
  "Nah man, I've just got to get in my car and drive and make sure I'm there," Judon said when asked if he expects tomorrow's commute to be a challenge. "If that's just setting the alarm clock 30 minutes earlier so that you can warm your car up, or whatever that is - people from the southern states, they've got lucky, they don't get no snow. But I've been dealing with snow my whole life so I think I'll be alright."
  
  They say preparation is the key to success, and it sounds like Belichick has his team prepared for the morning commute on Friday. Getting ready for snow and a game in Miami in the same day, just a typical week of Patriots football.

MORE: Patriots sign linebacker to practice squad

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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