Bill Belichick wishes Nick Saban a speedy recovery from Covid-19

Bill Belichick’s relationship with Alabama coach Nick Saban goes back decades. The two future Hall-of-Fame coaches worked together when Belichick was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991-1995. The friendship has been well documented as both turned their programs into yearly championship contenders.

On Wednesday, Nick Saban announced that he tested positive for Covid-19. The 68-year-old said he was asymptomatic.

Over the last two weeks, Belichick has [...]

Bill Belichick’s relationship with Alabama coach Nick Saban goes back decades. The two future Hall-of-Fame coaches worked together when Belichick was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991-1995. The friendship has been well documented as both turned their programs into yearly championship contenders.

On Wednesday, Nick Saban announced that he tested positive for Covid-19. The 68-year-old said he was asymptomatic.

Over the last two weeks, Belichick has learned a lot about coronavirus with four Patriots landing on the NFL’s Covid-19/Reserve list. The Patriots coach started his Thursday morning press conference wishing Saban well.

"I know everyone’s aware of our connections with Coach Saban and Alabama. So, just want to wish him a speedy and complete recovery from this COVID virus," Belichick said. "I spoke with Coach Saban recently. We both talked about how much we’ve learned about this situation and some of the challenges that have come with it. I know he’s been extremely vigilant and has put a great deal of thought and effort into the care of his team and players and he shared that with me. We both talked about things that we’ve done and have been helpful and so forth. As I said, just want to wish him the best from all of us here in the organization."

Thursday marked the first Patriots practice since Oct. 2. Gillette Stadium shut down after Cam Newton, Stephon Gilmore, Bill Murray and Byron Cowart either tested positive for coronavirus or were placed on the reserve list.

Belichick said that his team was looking forward to getting back on the field and the hope was that everything would run smoothly before their game against Denver, which was pushed back a week because of the virus.

"Wwe continue to press forward with as much safety and vigilance as possible in our whole approach to football and all the things that surround it, our families and the safety of everyone involved here – players, staff, organization, so forth," Belichick said. "We learn things every day and we continue to try to take steps to put everybody’s safety at the very top of the list, and at the same time, try to accommodate the competitive aspects that we need to perform on the field. It’s definitely a balance there, but we’ve got to put first things first."

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ