For the umpteenth time, Bill Belichick is not answering questions about Tom Brady’s embattled trainer.
After the Boston Globe published an extensive piece Tuesday claiming Alex Guerrero, a longtime Brady associate, had been barred from traveling with the Patriots and from treating those on the roster not wearing No. 12, Belichick addressed the media Wednesday and was in no mood to discuss an alleged rift between staff and Guerrero, especially after a reporter referred to New England’s 40-year-old quarterback as the coach’s “adult son.”
“I’m trying to coach a football team,” Belichick said. “What are we talking about here?”
Even though the reporter rephrased the question, the exchange was already skidding off course.
“There’s a lot of pronouns there, I don’t really know who’s talking about what,” Belichick replied before walking away from the podium.
Guerrero’s murky background has come to light in recent days. Once accused of falsely presenting himself as a doctor, the 52-year-old has reportedly drawn ire from those within the Patriots organization for his alternative treatment methods. He received a master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine from the now defunct Samra University of Oriental Medicine in Los Angeles.
In June 2004, Guerrero was sued by the government after promoting a nutritional supplement with the potential to cure deadly illnesses. Four years later, he helped Brady recover from a torn ACL. The duo’s relationship has since prospered personally and professionally, although Brady declined to comment on reported tension between his friend and head coach.
“I don’t have any comment on that other than to say Alex, it’s been well-documented, has been a huge part of what I do and I’m so fortunate to have him not only as a friend, but with everything that we’ve been able to do together,” Brady said Monday during a radio appearance on WEEI. “Alex has been a huge, huge reason why I’m still playing.”