INDIANAPOLIS — Even the usually dour Bill Belichick was joking around as the New England Patriots arrived in Indianapolis for Super Bowl week.
At his opening news conference Sunday night, Belichick was asked if he expected some Hoosier hospitality.
“I never had too much hospitality here,” he said, noting that the Patriots aren’t exactly popular in Colts country, “until I went for it on fourth-and-two.”
His gamble on that play at the New England 28 with 2:08 to go failed and led to the Colts’ winning field goal in a 2009 regular-season game.
“Fans greeted us lots more and were awfully friendly” after that, he added.
Dressed in a suit — no hoodie for the coach this time — Belichick also said All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski is “day to day” with a high left ankle sprain. Gronkowski has been wearing a walking boot since being injured in the AFC title game.