Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was left bleeding from his face on Wednesday as he tried to break up a fight at a joint practice with the Commanders.
According to Mass Live’s Chris Mason, the chaos ensued when New England running back TreVeyon Henderson picked up a blitz from a Washington defender.
Henderson reportedly took the defender to the ground ‘violently’ before the pair began fighting on the floor – leading others, including Vrabel, to intervene.
The coach then emerged from the pile bleeding from his cheek.
A picture shared to X showed the coach holding an ice pack to his face afterwards.
And Patriots players were pleased at seeing their new coach stick up for them.
Vrabel, seen with Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, has been tasked with turning the Patriots around
He has been hands-on at other points during Patriots training camp this summer
Tight end Hunter Henry told reporters: ‘He’s right there with us, man.’
Receiver DeMario Douglas said: ‘That shows a lot. He’ll do anything for us…that’s love.’
And quarterback Drake Maye even said that someone compared Vrabel’s cut to the ‘Trump gunshot wound.’
Douglas also shared that a bloodied Vrabel hilariously told him: ‘Hey, you should’ve seen the other guy.’
Fans were also proud of their coach, who is in his first year coaching New England and won three Super Bowls with the franchise as a player.
‘I think the Patriots are going to f***ing Super Bowl,’ one said on X.
‘My head coach,’ another beamed.
‘I love Mike Vrabel,’ a third added.
Vrabel, who compiled a 54-45 record coaching the Titans, has been tasked with turning around the Patriots amid three consecutive years of the team missing the postseason.
The team fired first-year head coach Jerod Mayo following a 4-13 season last year, ultimately bringing in Vrabel following his January 2024 firing from Tennessee.
However, there is some optimism heading into this year after Drake Maye produced a promising rookie campaign, and New England has the league’s third-easiest schedule this season.
The Patriots begin their season on September 7 at home against the Raiders.