Patriots' Zappe told Belichick 'no more handshakes' after viral exchange
New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe and head coach Bill Belichick are replacing handshakes with hugs following their viral postgame celebration earlier this month.
A video posted after the Patriots' Week 14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers showed an enthusiastic Zappe hugging offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien before walking over to Belichick and sharing a formal handshake with him.
The difference between how Zappe greeted O’Brien and then Belichick after Thursday’s win is just so good.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) December 8, 2023
O’Brien? Like he’s one of the boys.
Belichick? Like he’s Zappe’s military father-in-law who will never forgive Zappe for not asking for his blessing.
(via @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/7QEn0NeUvV
Zappe and Belichick appeared a lot more chummy on Sunday, though. The two were filmed hugging in the locker room after the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos.
How do we feel about a Christmas Eve dub? pic.twitter.com/cUkUeVZJpB
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 25, 2023
Zappe addressed the exchange Tuesday on WEEI's "Jones & Mego" show, saying he suggested to Belichick that they go in for the hug.
"The handshake thing and everything, I told him when I was walking in after the Broncos game he like reached out for the handshake and I was like, 'Ah, coach, no more handshakes. Let's go for a hug,'" Zappe said. "So that's kind of how that all happened.
"It's awesome to be coached by one of the greatest - or the greatest - of all time. So I come to the building every day happy to be able to learn from him and kind of just be a sponge and listen to everything he has to say about the entirety of the game of football."
Zappe is 2-2 since taking over starting duties from Mac Jones this season. He's completed 63.5% of his passes for 975 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions.