PHOENIX - Facing the longest Super Bowl odds of his tenure as New England Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick was asked Monday at the NFL's annual meeting what message of optimism he might share with the team's fans.
He succinctly answered: "The last 25 years."
It was a flex, of sorts, from the soon-to-be-71-year-old Belichick, who is 18 wins away from tying the late Don Shula on the all-time coaching wins list (including playoffs).
Belichick enters his 24th season as Patriots coach, has won six Super Bowl and nine AFC championships over that span, while posting a 292-120 record in the regular season and 30-12 record in the playoffs.