Former Patriots star Rob Gronkowksi has accused Bill Belichick of hypocrisy when it comes to the ‘distractions’ that his girlfriend Jordon Hudson is creating at UNC.
Gronkowski, who won two Super Bowls under Belichick in New England, previously defended Hudson after her now-viral interruption during the coach’s CBS interview. The former tight end had said on the Dudes on Dudes podcast with former teammate Julian Edelman that Hudson was acting as a ‘representative’ for the coach when she shot down a question about how they met.
But roughly two weeks later, following reports that Hudson was banned from UNC’s facility, Gronkowski has changed his tune.
‘You know, and in the back of your head too, you’re just thinking to yourself as well, ‘When you were on the Patriots, the whole goal was to eliminate all the distractions that can possibly happen while you’re on the team,” Gronkowski told 98.5 The Sports Hub.
‘And don’t bring those distractions to the team and in the locker room, and we’re just looking down at the program in North Carolina and it feels like there are just distractions 24/7 down there. There’s no football talk as well.’
Gronkowski’s latest remarks came after UNC was forced to release a bombshell statement denying the latest reporting from Pablo Torre.
Jordon Hudson and Bill Belichick’s relationship has come under massive scrutiny of late
And even his ex-player, Rob Gronkowski, has now appeared to criticize the legendary coach
Torre claimed Friday morning on his podcast that Hudson was no longer welcome at the school’s football facilities.
‘Don’t think you’ll be hearing much from Jordon moving forward,’ one of his sources said.
However, UNC later released a statement denying any such ban, and said that Hudson would ‘continue to manage all activities related to Coach Belichick’s personal brand outside of his responsibilities for Carolina Football and the University.’
In response to UNC’s denial, Torre posted on X: ‘UNC can now choose to describe or change its position on Jordon Hudson’s involvement however it wishes, following the publication of our episode.
‘We requested comment and filed dozens of FOIA requests that were not satisfied. And we stand by the specific reporting in our episode, which came from the highest levels of the football program.’
Hudson’s role in Belichick’s CBS Sunday Morning interview with Tony Dokoupil – in which she was described as a ‘constant presence’ – has raised questions about her level of control in the coach’s professional life.
In a painfully awkward moment, Hudson interrupted Belichick’s conversation with CBS
Belichick and Hudson have been going strong since their relationship was revealed last yea
An email previously publicized by The Assembly showed that Belichick asked for her to be copied on all emails sent to him by UNC staffers.
It also emerged that her desire to be involved in the iconic HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ series curtailed the cameras’ involvement in Belichick’s work at the school.
However, it now appears that Hudson’s time as Belichick’s media advisor could be coming to an end.
Pro Football Talk reported that Belichick is in talks with former Chicago Bears VP of communications Brandon Faber to handle communications regarding UNC and his book tour.
Daily Mail exclusively reported that Belichick was not massively concerned by the backlash he and Hudson had recently received.
Nonetheless, it is telling that even his ex-players are starting to criticize him.
