Mike Vrabel bloodied after breaking up Patriots-Commanders fight
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was left bloodied Wednesday after breaking up a training camp scrum during a joint practice with the Commanders.
Vrabel, a Super Bowl-winning linebacker with the franchise, swooped into the fray after Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson took a Washington defender “to the ground violently” in a blitz pickup, according to MassLive.
As the fireworks erupted, New England’s first-year head coach “physically jumped in to try to break it up,” with Patriots rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell getting involved by diving on a defender.
The Boston Herald reported Vrabel, 49, was bleeding from his right cheek.
Second-year Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who said he “almost got in there,” told reporters how someone on the field likened Vrabel’s injury to the “Trump gunshot wound,” an apparent reference to President Trump’s injury from last summer’s assassination attempt.
“That’s what we’re trying to build, I think. And it starts with the head coach. The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no crap when we’re out there on the field,” Maye said, as covered by WEEI. “But also, there comes a time with our guys offensively, getting over there and getting into some tussles and having some penalties and extra after the whistle can get us in trouble. But for a mentality, I like it. I mean, I almost got in there, but I think maybe another day, maybe. So we’ll see.”
The incident comes two days before the Patriots host the Commanders in their preseason opener.
The game will mark Vrabel’s first on the sideline as head coach of his former team.
He took over in January following a disastrous 4-13 run by fellow Patriots alum Jerod Mayo, who was tapped to succeed longtime coach Bill Belichick a year before.
Vrabel served as coach of the Titans from 2018-’23 and made three trips to the postseason in six years. He was relieved of his duties in January 2024 after a 6-11 season.
Vrabel’s no-nonsense attitude has been on full display this offseason.
Back in May, when star receiver Stefon Diggs’ boat party escapades made headlines — not to mention the appearance of a curious pink powder — Vrabel said “any conversation” would be kept in-house and moved things along.
He then went on to scold the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin last month for not paying attention in a media session. Volin subsequently flagged himself for a “total lack of focus.”
The Patriots open the season at home on Sept. 7 against the Raiders.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
