Jon Bon Jovi Has Some Amazing Stories About Introducing Bill Belichick to the Rock Star Life

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If an average, ordinary slob like you or me saved a life by talking a woman out of jumping off a bridge:

… I guarantee you we'd consider that a job well done, call it a week, and coast into Saturday riding that high. 

But Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famers are neither average nor ordinary. Even the ones who are slobs. Which definitely does not include Jon Bon Jovi. This is, after all, a man with a Doctor of Music from Penn. Who is seeking to join the most exclusive club in American life, the fraternity of NFL owners. And who most impressively of all, is one of those precious few who can honestly say he's in Bill Belichick's inner circle. Speaking as someone who is also a close, personal friend of Bill's, I can tell you no induction, honorary degree or award of any kind can compare with that. 

But even I can't claim to have been on the sorts of madcap, whirlwind adventures with the coaching GOAT that Bon Jovi can. Try as I might, I could never offer him that Rock Star Life. After all, those weren't my arena rock anthems echoing across the practice fields behind Gillette these past two decades. Those multi-platinum vocal chords belonged to JBJ, not OB. 

And with that special status, Bon Jovi picked up a lot of stories. Which he just shared with Julian Edelman:

"Few people know that he was a closet drummer. Tico [Torres] gave him some lessons and we bought him a kit.

"He came on the road with us. Especially to Europe, where he could hang for a week at a time. We took him to Paris and we took him to Italy and, you know, all around with us. And he was just on the plane. But getting to see him now in our environment. 

"We were playing the same stadiums as The Stones. It was '95. So we went. And I took Bill. The Stone's head of security Bob Bender was a great college football player, and Bill saw him and immediately went over to him and said "Great to see you." So Belichick could now feel at home. And he was with us. And he was back stage at The Rolling Stones.

"For those who don't believe those stories of that warm, wonderful side of him that I know is true, it IS true. It's ALL true. He was a lot of fun."

There's just so much to unpack here. Beginning with the mental image of Bill Belichick, sticks in hand, laying down the rhythms in his Beat Laboratory as his place on Nantucket:

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We all need Bon Jovi to expand on that anecdote. I mean, does he still have that kit? Does he still play? Because I have to believe that in all the years he was in Foxboro, the man had ample opportunities to sit in and jam with any number of bands. Gillette hosts a dozen or so concerts a summer. The Kraft family have hosted private shows, with Elton John for example. Who among us wouldn't have wanted to see Belichick on the skins for "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" or whatever? I've heard that the late, great Bill Walton once drummed for The Grateful Dead at the foot of the pyramids in Egypt. This would've been even more impressive than that. One can only assume he never had time to keep up with the pursuit. Opting instead to spend his time building the greatest Dynasty the football world will ever know. Because if he had dedicated himself, he'd have been bigger than Keith Moon, John Bonham and Ringo Starr combined. And probably replaced Charlie Watts on that Stones tour. 

More than anything though, we need to know everything - and I mean everything - about Belichick living that Rock Star Life. Of course he's going to recognize some former college player running security for the headliners. That's to be expected. He probably remembered more plays Bob Bender made than Bob Bender did. Beyond that, you can just picture him figuring out more efficient ways for the roadies to load and unload the trucks. Producing data on the acoustics at every stadium and finding the proper settings for every amp. Coming up with a scouting report for every groupie. Doing film study to assess her strengths, weaknesses, areas where she needs to improve. Evaluating whether she could be replaced with a younger, more productive Star Fucker who's more cost effective because she enjoys weed instead of coke. (I'm not suggesting Bon Jovi's band had controlled substances on the road. I'm just pointing out Belichick believes in being prepared for every potential situation that might come up.) Finding new talent that was overlooked by every other band that came through that city. 

Fortunately for all of us, the Rock Star Life was never more than a hobby, though. If it had become his passion, I have no doubt he'd be joining JBJ in the Hall of Fame. Either as a drummer or a manager. Or both. It's just that when you're the best there's ever been at coaching pro football, every other option pales in comparison. Even living every man's fantasy of being a rock god. Standing on stage in front of sold out stadii around the globe, being idolized by adoring fans night after night, can't fill the the heart of a true Football Guy. And we're all better for it.