Bill Belichick Reportedly Was Told Patriots Made Staffer Remove UNC Shirt in Facility

If you're a fan of Mean Girls and the high school squabbles depicted in that 2004 movie, the ongoing Bill Belichick-New England Patriots drama is right up your alley.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Belichick was told that a staff member for the Patriots was told to remove the UNC shirt he wore in New England's weight room.

This comes after ESPN's Kalyn Kahler reported on Thursday that Tar Heels general manager Michael Lombardi and pro liaison Frantzy Jourdain informed Patriots scouts they were banned from the university one day before a scheduled visit in August.

Kahler did note that two NFL scouts employed by teams other than the Patriots said that since Belichick took over as Tar Heels head coach, they offer limited access to all NFL personnel.

According to Russini, Belichick and Lombardi specifically told North Carolina's athletic department to deny a Patriots scout permission to visit the Tar Heels.

Belichick's reasoning, per Russini, stems entirely from his feelings toward Patriots owner Robert Kraft and president Jonathan Kraft. He has "no issue" with New England head coach Mike Vrabel or executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf.

"Why would we let (Patriots staffers) in our home after how he's been treated since he left?" one North Carolina source told Russini. "They get all our tape (and) can call our staff for player info. We will help our players, but being treated fairly is a two-way street."

As Russini pointed out, the idea of the Patriots not permitting North Carolina attire in their facilities is far-fetched considering Drake Maye played for the Tar Heels from 2021 to '23 and "often wears UNC gear around the facility with zero issues."

You could argue that Maye left North Carolina before Belichick was hired, so he is exempt from the rule. The Patriots also signed UNC alum Mack Hollins to a two-year contract in free agency.

While Belichick is in the midst of clinging tightly to that grudge he holds against the Kraft family, the 73-year-old will also look to win his first game as a member of the Tar Heels.

North Carolina will play Charlotte at Jerry Richardson Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.