It's no secret that New England Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel likes to get in on the action and be physical with his players. The Patriots' head coach jumped in to break up a scuffle and left bleeding. A quote that describes Vrabel pretty well.
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Earns Respect, Admiration From Players After Shedding Blood Breaking up Joint Practice Scuffle originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
It's no secret that New England Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel likes to get in on the action and be physical with his players. However, at Wednesday's joint practice with the Washington Commanders, it wasn't teaching technique and demonstrating drills that Vrabel was involved in. The Patriots' head coach jumped in to break up a scuffle and left bleeding.
“Man, that shows a lot about our coach. He’ll do anything for us. That’s love right there," Patriots' receiver DeMario Douglas said (h/t MassLive.com). "I said, ‘Coach, what’s wrong with you?’ He said, ‘Hey, you should’ve seen the other guy.’ I laughed.”
A quote that describes Vrabel pretty well. The head coach and former Patriots' linebacker has always been known for his grit on the field, and once he got into coaching. Vrabel played linebacker in the NFL for 14 years, and spent eight of those in New England, winning three Super Bowls.
#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel jumped into a scuffle between his players and the Commanders during joint practice — and came out of the pile bleeding.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 6, 2025
The ultimate football guy.
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Now, Vrabel's trying to get the Patriots back to that level of success, and it starts with a firm foundation built on culture. That culture starts with the head coach and trickles down throughout the team.
“That’s what we’re trying to build. It starts with the head coach – the intensity, bringing it every day. Taking no crap when we’re out there on the field," Patriots' quarterback Drake Maye said (h/t MassLive.com). "But also, it comes at a time with our guys offensively getting over there and getting in some tussles and having penalties with extras after the whistle. It can get us in trouble, but as a mentality, I like it. I think that’s what you want. I almost got in there, but I think another day. We’ll see.”
I doubt Vrabel wants his quarterback getting in the next scuffle, but Maye's point is well-received. The Patriots are trying to rebirth the gritty, tenacious playing style that Vrabel demonstrated in his playing days.
“I mean, he’s right there with us, man. I think that player comes out in him a little, too," Patriots' tight end Hunter Henry said (h/t MassLive.com). "But you’ve got to love a coach that loves to compete. Has his competitive juices just like us.”
Vrabel's competitiveness is always on display, and he's going to fight for his players. The Patriots' head coach even impressed some players on the Washington Commanders.
“Yeah, [Mike Vrabel] dove in there. He showed some tenacity, some grit. I saw a little cut, but I feel like that right there just shows what Patriot’s all about," Commanders' defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. said (h/t MassLive.com). "You know, being tough… He may think he can still play. He has his strength. He grabbed some guys today. I was like, oh he’s strong, so he probably could give a nice drive.”
Vrabel may be the headline coming out of Wednesday's joint practice, but he showed he always has his players' backs, and he loves to get in on the action.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
