New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel secured his first victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Vrabel’s milestone moment didn’t come easy, as his team seemed eager to hand the game away with mistakes and penalties, but they eventually pulled out the gutty victory to kickstart division play.
“Listen to me, this will always and forever be about the players,” Vrabel said in the locker room, shortly after being interrupted and presented a game ball by Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “I’m just telling you, and you guys know that. This will always be about the players.”
The Patriots provided video of the postgame aftermath in the locker room:
Vrabel, undeterred by the game’s sloppy nature (and being interrupted by his boss), immediately honored several members of his team with game balls of their own:
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RB Rhamondre Stevenson
RB Antonio Gibson
LB Marte Mapu
DL Milton WIlliams
K Andy Borregales
AC Zak Kuhr
Stevenson was shouted out for his return to form — as he totaled 143 yards on just 16 touches. Gibson received one for his electric (and timely) kick return touchdown. Mapu was shouted out for his attentive nature in the meeting rooms, as well as a fourth-quarter interception. Williams recorded two sacks. Borregales bounced back from two missed extra-point attempts to nail a field goal that expanded the late lead.
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Kuhr’s inclusion in the club was perhaps the most meaningful, however, as he took on the defensive play-calling role in the absence of defensive coordinator Terrell Williams.
The Patriots will hope to hand out game balls several more times this season, perhaps with a less-awkward start.
