Belichick’s Boat Gets a Romantic Update
NFL legend Bill Belichick appears to be making a personal statement—by way of his boat. Photos obtained by TMZ Sports this week show that the former New England Patriots head coach has renamed his iconic vessel VIII Rings to I + VIII Rings, sparking speculation about his relationship with 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
The updated name, spotted on Tuesday, May 20, seems to suggest a union: “I” joining Belichick’s eight Super Bowl victories. This symbolic gesture comes the same day The New York Times reported that Hudson has told at least one person she and Belichick, 73, are engaged.
#BillBelichick‘s beloved boat just got a new paint job … and the fresh coat is only fueling the rumors he and his girlfriend, #JordonHudson, are engaged. #Exclusive story HERE: https://t.co/M9UTmas1oE pic.twitter.com/ExxqZq2OF4
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) May 20, 2025
A Relationship in the Spotlight
Belichick and Hudson, a former college cheerleader, reportedly met on a JetBlue flight from Boston to West Palm Beach, Florida, on February 11, 2021. Though their relationship began privately, the couple went public last year.
The boat’s previous name, VIII Rings, celebrated Belichick’s six titles as head coach and two as a defensive coordinator. The new title appears to signal a personal milestone beyond his football career—possibly hinting at a ninth ring of a more romantic kind.
Engagement Buzz Grows Louder
The engagement speculation isn’t new. Hudson, who was the second runner-up in the 2024 Miss Maine USA competition, was spotted wearing a diamond ring on her left hand last month while attending an American Museum of Natural History luncheon in New York City with Belichick.
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Earlier this year, she shared a celebratory Instagram post marking their “meetiversary,” playfully noting that she still gives him “lengthy philosophical lectures” four years later. The couple reportedly bonded over a college philosophy course during their initial meeting.
Public Appearances and Campus Rumors
Hudson has become a familiar face on the University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill, where Belichick is serving as an advisor to the football program. She’s been seen attending spring practices and a basketball game alongside him.
In March, reports claimed she had been banned from the school’s football facilities—a rumor UNC later denied.
“While Jordon Hudson is not an employee at the University or Carolina Athletics, she is welcome to the Carolina Football facilities,” the university said in a statement shared with People.
A New Chapter for the Coaching Icon
Belichick has stayed in the headlines this spring, promoting his new book, The Art of Winning, ahead of what may be a new era in both his professional and personal life. In a recent CBS Sunday Morning interview, Hudson cut off a question about how they met, stating, “We’re not talking about this,” leaving more questions than answers.
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Whether or not a formal engagement announcement follows, the rebranding of Belichick’s boat has certainly added fuel to the rumor mill.