New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is a history buff. Ask him about a play or concept and he is able and oftentimes willing to go into great historical detail to explain it. His knowledge of the past expands beyond the scope of football, though, as Belichick is also a student of other branches of history.
Most prominently among them is military history; the ties between the coach and the United States Military go far back. After all, Belichick grew up around the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where his father Steve, himself a veteran of World War II, served as a scout for the football team for more than 30 years.
Given this background, yesterday’s report by Tom Curran that Belichick will narrate a one-hour film about the second World War does not come as a surprise. The film, which is produced by Rhode Island native Tim Grey, will be titled “D-Day: Over Normandy” and re-tell the story of the Allied landing in France on June 6, 1944 by using mostly aerial shots.
New England’s coach had to say the following about the project and his involvement:
Growing up in Annapolis, Maryland, where my father coached football at the United States Naval Academy, I understand the importance of preserving the memory of those who served our nation during World War II. Every day of my childhood, I was immersed in the tradition of the United States Navy. I was, and remain, inspired by their discipline, teamwork and courage, especially the sailors who fought on D-Day and in the Pacific theater, where the U.S. Pacific Fleet sacrificed so much for ultimate victory. The Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines made one heck of a team in World War II.
The film will be aired across the country on PBS and is set to be released in Spring. At that time, Belichick will already be on to his next task: Building yet another championship team.