For most people, Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones and those closest to you. For New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, though, it's just another work day. Last year, as his now former Patriots teammates gathered around the table for dinner on Christmas Day at center Bryan Stork’s house, current San Diego Chargers tight end Asante Cleveland, then with the Pats, received a phone call from someone with a 508 area code. When Cleveland picked up, it was Belichick with some bad news.
“He was like, ‘Hey Asante. It’s Belichick,’” Cleveland told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “He said, ‘We’re going to have to make some roster moves.’ At that point, I knew what ‘roster moves’ means. It means I’m being moved from the roster. We needed to bring in a cornerback because we were playing the Jets. He said, ‘I just want to let you know this is no indication we’re moving away from you. We really like you. … We just need to make this quick transaction.’ That call ended." Before hanging up, Cleveland said "Merry Christmas" to the Patriots head coach, but didn't hear a response. And just like that, the former Miami Hurricanes product was placed on waivers where he would get picked up by the Chargers.
So, what did Cleveland learn from that ordeal? “Phone off on Christmas,” he said. “It’s going to be the new rule I go with for the rest of my life. Only bad news can come. Good news will still be there the next day.” Considering what Asante went through, do you blame him for remaining on radio silence throughout Christmas?
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