The two most successful coaches in two of America’s biggest sports leagues, the NFL and the NBA, had very different reactions when it came to addressing Donald Trump’s presidential election victory. Both San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick are certain Hall of Famers — the two men have run the winningest franchises in their respective leagues over the last two decades.
Both coaches are also not usually excited to talk with the media. But Trump’s election changed that for Popovich, if not for Belichick. Belichick was asked repeatedly about his alleged support for Trump. Belichick said he was “not a political person” and kept insisting he would only answer questions about the Pats next game (against the Seahawks). “Seattle,” Belichick kept repeating when asked questions about Trump. Popovich did the opposite, saying the election results were sickening. At one point Popovich was asked a basketball question, and the coach said he wasn’t yet done talking about Trump. Popovich said:
“I’m still sick to my stomach, and not basically because the Republicans won or anything, but the disgusting tenor, tone and all the comments that have been xenophobic, homophobic, racist, misogynistic. And I live in that country where half the people ignored all that to elect someone. That’s the scariest part.”
