The New England Patriots have built a reputation amongst many players, fans and media members as a team that emphasizes a no-fun, win-first culture in the locker room. You know, “The Patriot Way.”
Yet, despite spending much of the past two decades as a team that had the most famous football player on the planet at quarterback, a keg party personified at tight end and even a stint with Randy Moss (and a much shorter stint with Antonio Brown), there’s still the narrative that the Patriots can’t mesh with engaging personalities.
We saw that typical reaction after the Patriots signed quarterback Cam Newton on Sunday. There were questions about Newton’s “character,” which were completely unfair. Newton is a player who plays the game with emotion, and that’s exactly what Bill Belichick has wanted from his players.
I mean, Belichick said it himself.
A Football Life: Bill Belichick featured a 2009 speech to his team where he showed emotionless Patriots players after big plays. He wanted celebrations because it was a reflection of hard work paying off — and it sent a message to the other team.
So, when you look at Newton as a player who loves to celebrate big plays, it’s just what Belichick has been looking for. There’s no conflict of personalities here.
Newton will fit the Patriots’ culture just fine.
