Bill Belichick didn’t want to dive too deep about Robert Kraft not being mentioned in his new book, “The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football.”
The former New England Patriots coach sat down with CBS Mornings to discuss a plethora of topics. But when Tony Dokoupil mentioned Kraft wasn’t once mentioned in the book, Belichick didn’t offer much in the way of an answer.
“He’s not,” Belichick said. “It’s about my life lessons in football, and it’s really more about the ones I experienced directly.”
Kraft, as pointed out by Dokoupil, isn’t even mentioned in the acknowledgements. After Belichick replied with, “correct,” Dokoupil then asked about the 73-year-old’s departure from the Patriots after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles.
Belichick was asked if he felt he was treated with dignity and respect when Kraft made the decision to let him go, and Belichick said it was a mutual decision for him to leave. Dokoupil mentioned that Kraft specifically used the word “fired.”
“It was a mutual decision,” Belichick said.
In October when Kraft appeared on “The Breakfast Club” podcast, the Patriots owner admitted he didn’t enjoy having to fire Belichick as coach and general manager of the organization. When the decision was made to move on from Belichick in January 2024, they were both adamant that they mutually agreed to part ways.
Belichick, obviously, still maintains him leaving New England wasn’t a one-sided decision.