Patriots HC Bill Belichick on John Madden: 'Any time he spoke, I listened'

"I think any time he spoke, I listened," Belichick added, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "Whether that was in private conversation, group meeting, or a forum where other people spoke. For example, on a rule change or something like that or on a conference call with the Top 100, I always wanted to hear what he had to say. He always had a good perspective. . . . You could always see where he was coming from and it was always, I felt like, what was best for the game and a very unselfish view. He presented it that way and I think that’s why he was so respected, because his motivation was for the game, the fans, the entertainment, the safety, and all the things that are right about football. That’s what he stood for."

Florio shared a lengthy transcript of Belichick's remarks, and the Patriots tweeted a video of the coach's entire press conference:

Meanwhile, Belichick and company still control their playoff destiny heading into the new year despite this past Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills that ultimately might cost them the AFC East title.