Work Ethic

The theme of working hard to achieve excellence is developed and repeated throughout the story. There is also the special note that low-level "grunt" work is rewarded; as opposed to looked down on. The main case given is that Belichick started as an assistant for Baltimore Colts working for $25 a week. Did every lowly job available, but in the process learned the system of professional football from the ground up. Worked many of the major positions available in later years, finally getting to the pinnacle: head coach.

His staff and players are expected to show the same drive and passion to do their best. Previous friends of his are given no favoritism in this system. Belichick's dream is for a pure meritocracy, where only performance and hard work are used to determine the worth of a player or staff member.

On the other side of this equation...