Adam Vinatieri, a four-time Super Bowl champion, used his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech on Saturday to playfully jab his former coach, Bill Belichick, regarding his relationship with Jordon Hudson.
Vinatieri, who played under Belichick with the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2005, winning three Super Bowl titles, made the remarks during his enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
"Thank you for demanding excellence every single day. Your preparation, discipline and attention to detail shaped far more than my football career," Vinatieri said of Belichick. "Unfortunately, Bill couldn’t make it here today. There’s a lot going on at UNC right now."
He continued, drawing laughter from the crowd, "He may be on a recruiting trip right now, looking for the next Lawrence Taylor. I thought it was because training camp had already started. But in truth, it’s because he’s judging his girlfriend’s cheerleading competition."
Hudson, 25, is a noted cheerleader who has won championships as both a competitor and a coach. She most recently secured a world title in April, with Belichick in attendance.
Belichick's relationship with Hudson gained national attention after he took a coaching position with the North Carolina Tar Heels prior to the 2025 season. The relationship has since faced considerable public scrutiny.
Despite the jest, Vinatieri acknowledged Belichick's standing in the sport, stating he believes him to be one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.