Bill Belichick and Bill O’Brien share awkward handshake after Week 13

Did Belichick try to skip the handshake with O’Brien?

Bill Belichick barely looked at Bill O’Brien when they shook each other’s hands after the Houston Texans’ 28-22 win over the New England Patriots in Week 13.

O’Brien fought through a crowd of cameras and players on the field after the game to find Belichick, who nearly missed O’Brien (if not for the Texans coach making a clear effort to find the Patriots coach). Belichick quickly stuck out his hand for O’Brien before immediately turning away to eventually head to the locker room.

The moment left everyone on Twitter wondering: Did Belichick attempt to skip the handshake with O’Brien? Was the handshake as emotionally charged as it looked?

Belichick’s grievances with O’Brien and the Texans go beyond the Week 13 loss in Houston. Belichick may still be frustrated with O’Brien for attempting to poach Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio during the 2019 offseason. When the Texans attempted to interview Caserio, New England stopped the process by filing tampering charges. Huston ceased their pursuit of Caserio.

Considering that background, here was the response to the handshake on Twitter.

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