Adam Vinatieri, celebrated for his clutch performances with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. His induction speech included some light-hearted jabs at his former coach, Bill Belichick.

Vinatieri, who played for Belichick from 2000 to 2005, was instrumental in securing three Super Bowl titles for the Patriots. During his speech, he humorously acknowledged Belichick’s influence on his career, stating, “Thank you for demanding excellence every single day. Your preparation, discipline, and attention to detail shaped far more than my football career.”

“Unfortunately, Bill couldn’t make it here today. There’s a lot going on at UNC right now,” Vinatieri joked, referencing Belichick’s current commitments.

Belichick was reportedly busy with responsibilities at the University of North Carolina, where he took a coaching position before the 2025 season.

Vinatieri further teased that Belichick might be judging a cheerleading competition involving his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. “He may be on a recruiting trip right now, looking for the next Lawrence Taylor. I thought it was because training camp had already started. But in truth, it’s because he’s judging his girlfriend’s cheerleading competition,” Vinatieri added.

Despite the jokes, Vinatieri affirmed his admiration for Belichick, calling him one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.

Hudson, at 25, is an accomplished figure in the cheerleading world. She has won numerous titles both as a coach and competitor, including a recent world championship in April, where Belichick was in attendance.

The relationship between Belichick and Hudson became widely known after he accepted the North Carolina Tar Heels’ coaching position. Their partnership has been a topic of discussion ever since.