This may be Bill Belichick’s most unexpected play call ever.
The New England Patriots head coach stepped off the gridiron and into the political field Wednesday, as he demanded the US take action in the recent dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The comments came as he was asked about how Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller recently quoted his mantra, “Do your job,” in a letter to Department of Defense employees.
“Well, I really appreciate the kind words from Secretary Miller,” the Pats coach said in a video conference with Patriots reporters, according to CBS Boston. “When you consider the type of leadership that he’s shown throughout his career serving our country, it really means a lot. I’m flattered by the reference that he made.”
The Super Bowl-winning NFL strategist then tried his hand at a little global strategic thinking.
“I’ll just say, while while we’re on the subject, I read his point about combating traditional threats,” he said. “And I couldn’t help but think and hope that we’ve seen from other countries around the world, and I hope that our country will take action against Turkey and Azerbaijan for their unprovoked and deadly attacks on Armenians.
“We’ve seen that when a humanitarian crisis and things like that, like ethnic cleaning, go unpunished, that they just continue to happen. I hope that we can put a stop to that.”
The Boston area is home to some 30,000 to 50,000 Armenians, The Hill reported, citing the Armenian Diaspora Survey.
Belichick made similar comments in support of Armenians earlier this month amid the Nagorno-Karabakh war.
“To Armenians around the world, I just want to give a quick message and let you know that I stand with you during these difficult times,” he said in a video on Instagram. “I have learned that throughout Armenian history, regardless of any adversity or tragedy, the Armenian people have continued to thrive and persevere.”
Enlarge Image Bill BelichickGetty Images
Belichick also wore an Armenian flag pin during a visit to the White House in 2015, Boston.com reported.
Berj Najarian, the Pats’ director of football/head coach administration and Belichick’s right-hand man, is Armenian.
The six-week conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region ended on Nov. 10 with a peace deal brokered between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia.
The disputed area sits within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenians since 1994.