New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel
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New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel had the perfect response to trolling from a former player of his.
In the end, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel got the last laugh (and a game ball) in his return to Tennessee.
The first-year Patriots coach returned to Nashville where he coached the Titans for six seasons before being fired. Motivated to get their boss a win in his old stomping grounds, New England cruised to a 31-13 win against a woeful Titans team.
It didn’t start especially smooth for Vrabel and Co., though. Tennessee actually took an early lead, and just a few minutes into the game, Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons had some fun with his old coach, making a crying face at Vrabel, who was complaining from the Patriots sideline about the lack of a facemask call.
Vrabel took the high road a day later during his WEEI interview when asked about the incident Simmons.
“(He was doing it at) me, I’m sure,” Vrabel said in his Oct. 20 weekly interview with “The Greg Hill Show” on WEEI. “But I’m sure he’s not going to want to hear this, but what makes you cry, makes you laugh, I guess. I know that’s not how it goes, but I spun it around there.”
Mike Vrabel ‘Proud’ of Himself for Handling Titans Star’s Taunting
Unfortunately for the Titans and Simmons, the three-time Pro Bowler had to leave the game early with a hamstring injury. Vrabel made it clear he didn’t have any ill will toward his former pupil.
“Jeff and I have a good relationship, and I was sorry to see him get hurt,” Vrabel added.
However, Vrabel couldn’t help but pat himself on the back for how he handled things int he moment, either.
“But as a coach,” he explained, “I have to take the high road, and I did, and I’m proud of myself for not responding.”