Mike Vrabel was giving the New England Patriots the license to celebrate for at least one night before locking in again for Super Bowl prep.
The Patriots outlasted the Denver Broncos in frigid conditions Sunday to win the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. After giving up a touchdown in the first quarter, New England kept Denver scoreless the rest of the way for a 10-7 win.
Reporters spoke to defensive tackle Milton Williams in the Patriots’ locker room after the game. Williams was asked about what Vrabel’s message was to the team following the gritty victory.
“That he enjoys coaching us, he’s proud of us,” shared Williams. “He said, ‘No curfew tonight, but the bus leaving at 8 in the morning, so if you ain’t on it, you ain’t playing in the [Super Bowl].'”
“I’m pretty sure everybody’s going to be on that bus. ‘I ain’t playing,’ he said.”
As Williams said, it’s hard to imagine any of the Patriots players missing that bus. Perhaps the biggest candidate to do so would be wild-card wide receiver Stefon Diggs. But after Diggs’ teary-eyed interview following Sunday’s win, even he probably wouldn’t dare risk not playing in the Super Bowl.
Vrabel has proven to be a no-nonsense head coach in every sense, which means he may very well stick to his word and bench any player not named Drake Maye who fails to show.
