Patriots reportedly told team staffer to not wear UNC shirt in team's weight room

"Amid reports that UNC has banned Patriots scouts from its facilities, someone close to Belichick was told that a New England staffer was told to take off a Tar Heels t-shirt while they were in the team's weight room, The Athletic's Diana Russini reported. An unidentified member of the Patriots denied that happened, though, pointing out to Russini that Drake Maye has worn UNC gear around the team facilities without any problems."

"An unnamed member of UNC's athletic department confirmed that was the case in a statement to several media outlets. "Why would we let them in our home after how he's been treated since he left? We will help our players, but being treated fairly is a two-way street," the unidentified member of UNC's athletic department told The Boston Herald's Doug Kyed and Andrew Callahan."

"There have been a number of other comments from Kraft that were perceived to be digs taken at Belichick. Some felt that the Apple TV+ docuseries, "The Dynasty," took unfair shots at Belichick, while Kraft said in June that he took a risk hiring his former head coach. Belichick fired back at the claim Kraft made. He also snubbed the Patriots' owner in his memoir, "The Art of Winn"

Persistent friction exists between Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, including reports that UNC barred Patriots scouts from practice and facilities. An allegation arose that a Patriots staffer was told to remove a Tar Heels t-shirt while in UNC's weight room; a Patriots source denied that claim and noted players like Drake Maye and Mack Hollins have worn UNC gear without issue. An unnamed UNC athletic department member said UNC would protect its home and insisted fair treatment is reciprocal. The feud traces to Belichick's January 2024 departure after 24 seasons, disputed characterizations of his exit, and public barbs between Belichick and owner Robert Kraft.

Read at Boston.com