Peyton Manning Exposes Bill Belichick’s Pettiness That Cost His Rival Art Modell $1 Million

Peyton Manning took the time out on Monday to throw it way back to the 90s on his ManningCast podcast. The legendary quarterback spent 18 years in the NFL, splitting his tenure between just two teams. With this vast experience in the league, Manning was ought to have a few secrets about a few of the big names in the league. Bill Belichick happens to be one of the few, whose secrets were leaked by Manning.

Bill Belichick is one of the oldest-serving coaches in the game and arguably the best coach the NFL has witnessed. Cumulatively, Belichick has 8 Superbowl rings to his name. He has won 6 with the New England Patriots. He also won two as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. 

Pre Patriots Belichick

Belichick has been at the New England franchise since 2000 and has been infamous for creating one of the most dominant eras of football alongside quarterback Tom Brady.

However, earlier in his career, Belichick also had a stint as head coach with the Cleveland Browns. In his 5 years with the team, he finished with a losing record, qualifying for the playoffs just once. He also had only one winning season with the squad.

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As the Browns moved base to Baltimore and rebranded as the Ravens, then-owner, Art Modell promised Belichick a gig in Baltimore. However, Modell failed to live up to his promise and fired Belichick shortly after this announcement.

Bill Belichick gets his big revenge

Belichick, unhappy with this act of the late owner, waited until the right moment to exercise his power. He eventually got back at his previous employer. Having been the man in charge of the Browns, the legendary coach happened to know the clauses in his players’ contracts.

He knew Ravens’ linebacker Peter Boulware would be a million dollars richer had he featured in a Pro Bowl game. He also knew that this transaction would have to be carried out by his employer, Art Modell.

Unhappy with how Modell treated him, Belichick ensured this happened during the 1998 Pro Bowl. Belichick was the AFC Pro Bowl coach that year and he ensured he did the right things to make Modell spend that extra million. “He picked Peter Boulware because he knew that Art Modell would have to pay Boulware a million-dollar bonus if Boulware made the Pro Bowl. Belichick hated Modell,” said Manning. The, then Jets’ coach picked Boulware as his ‘need player’, which was even a shock to Boulware himself.

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Belichick might not admit to this as the reason for nominating Boulware to the Pro Bowl squad back in 1998, given the pettiness behind it. However, the former Ravens linebacker can proudly celebrate this accolade. Belichick can also enjoy getting back at his former rival, Modell. However, Modell might have not felt the heat of this as he was a billionaire.