How unusual is it for a partnership to break up with a jointly held, public farewell?
It’s unheard of.
These breakups are invariably messy affairs.
And it seems the more successful the collaboration was, the messier it gets.
Think Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson.
Mr. Kraft and Bill Parcells.Hall & Oates.
Inevitably egos get in the way.
The two sides fight over who gets the credit.
These things get ugly, fast.
But not in this case.
This was a couple deciding, to use RKK’s word, “amicably.”
Keeping it respectful, for the sake of us kids.
A friendly parting of the ways.
With fond remembrances for all the good times.
Which, as they said, were better than anyone but those two ever imagined was possible.
Then he thanked everybody in the organization, from ownership right on down to the catering staff.
Then came the grand finale.
Rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air.
I think its safe to say we exceeded them.
BB: [Ear to ear grin] We did.
You most certainly did.
My first full day as a WEEI employee was on a “Patriots Monday” in November of 2014.
As they always did, the members of the show met at the studio underneath Gillette Stadium.
My producer and co-hosts filled my head with how to approach Belichick.
“Don’t attempt to joke around with him; he’ll shut you down.
Don’t venture to act like you know football; he’ll make you look stupid,“etc.
(Gee, thanks for helping me relax.
Good to see you.
It’s an HONOR to finally meet you.”
First day on the job.
First time we’d met.
I’ll never forget it.
Second was the following season.
When I first got copies ofFrom Darkness to Dynasty, we were back at Gillette for training camp.
My devoted Irish Rose suggested I give Bill a copy.
Belichick came in studio after a hard practice and was in no mood.
Basically it was him at his monosyllabic best.
To the point he dryly joked about how he wasn’t giving us anything to work with.
(I never minded.
“Spoiler,” I said.
“You’re in it!
And at the end, you win the Super Bowl.”
And his whole demeanor changed.
He smiled and congratulated me.
Said it was an accomplishment and thanked me for the copy.
Then he left to go do the daily press conference he was running late for.
Two full minutes later, maybe more, he came back in.
“If you don’t mind,” he said.
“Can I ask you to sign this for me?”
- Your pal, Jerry Thornton.
And he turned and laughed.
I know that he’s got a football book collection the size of the Library of Alexandria.
It was an HONOR to meet you, Bill.
