Photo: Patrick Smith
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick showed a surprisingly cheery side during his team's preseason opener against the New York Giants on Thursday night.
WBZ sports anchor Steve Burton kept up his annual preseason Week 1 tradition of getting a quick interview with the six-time Super Bowl champion at halftime, which typically includes the stoic Belichick keeping his answers about the exhibition game short and serious as if it was a crucial regular-season matchup.
Thursday's game, however, happened to fall on Burton's birthday and Belichick gleefully wished the New England native and Boston sports mainstay a "happy birthday" with a hearty handshake and hug.
"Happy birthday, man. Here we are at Gillette [Stadium]," Belichick said with a big smile in the video shared by WBZ producer Joe Giza.
"I appreciate that coach, more than you'll ever know," Burton responded happily.
Burton's daughter, NFL Network and Patriots pregame show host Kayla Burton, quote-tweeted the video and said Belichick wishing her father "a happy birthday is so wholesome for me."
The legendary coach has a history of keeping his answers brief, especially when attempting to dodge certain questions and, as noted previously, is notoriously stoic.
However, Belichick has shown a much more personable side in recent years, even going as far as to joke occasionally during press conferences, which is a dramatic change given his reputation.
The Giants defeated the Patriots, 23-21, during Thursday's game.
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