By Dayo Ade Olusola M10News Published: August 3, 2025
A celebrated Cleveland Browns journalist ignited controversy Friday night after taking a sharp swipe at legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend during an acceptance speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Gold Jacket Dinner.
Mary Kay Cabot, who has covered the Browns since 1991, received the prestigious Bill Nunn Memorial Award in Canton, Ohio. While reflecting on her early years reporting on the team, Cabot recounted her difficult working relationship with Belichick, who served as head coach in Cleveland from 1991 to 1995.
“Bill Belichick was the first Browns coach I ever covered,” Cabot told the packed room of football greats and media peers. “If you start with Bill, nobody else will ever rattle you. If he didn’t like what I wrote, he’d yell at me. If you asked a dumb question, he’d call you out.”
Then came the jab that stirred headlines and online outrage.
“Eventually, I had to stand up to him,” she continued. “I told him once during a yelling match, ‘If you don’t have the footballs to say that to the players, don’t say it to me.’ But now I understand why he was so tough on me. I was 28 at the time — way too old for him to relate to.”
The crowd erupted in laughter, but the remark quickly drew backlash online, with critics accusing Cabot of stepping out of line during what was meant to be a celebratory evening.
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Belichick, 73, has been making headlines since going public with his relationship with Jordon Hudson, a former college cheerleader nearly 50 years his junior.
The romance was first reported in June 2024 and has since been the subject of intense media scrutiny — particularly after an awkward joint interview on CBS Sunday Morning in April, where Hudson deflected questions about how the couple met.
Hudson appeared to respond to Cabot’s remark the following day. Her X (formerly Twitter) account reshared a post from another user criticising the journalist, reading: “Not much of a ‘laugh.’ No wonder so many have contempt for the media, especially those who want to be the story rather than report on it.”
Cabot, a trailblazing woman in a male-dominated beat, has long been known for her forthright reporting and willingness to challenge powerful figures within the sport. Her stories have helped shape coverage of the Browns for more than three decades. Still, critics say Friday’s joke crossed a line by making Belichick’s personal life — and particularly his partner’s age — the punchline during a professional ceremony.
Others defended Cabot’s speech as a moment of well-earned levity, noting her long history of being on the receiving end of Belichick’s infamously gruff demeanour.
The incident has reignited debate over the blurred lines between journalism, opinion, and public commentary — particularly as personal lives become increasingly central to sports coverage.
Belichick, now head coach at the University of North Carolina, has not publicly responded to Cabot’s speech.
However, he previously stated in May that Hudson “has nothing to do with UNC football,” amid speculation about her involvement in his post-NFL career.
The Tar Heels are scheduled to open their 2025 season against TCU on September 1. Whether the drama surrounding Belichick’s relationship will continue to cast a shadow over his new chapter remains to be seen.
M10News will continue to follow developments on this story.
