In a recent display of composure, Jordon Hudson and Jennifer Schmitt, Bill Belichick’s daughter-in-law, seemed to steer clear of any awkward encounters during the UNC game on Saturday evening. The pair, who have had their share of past tensions, maintained their distance throughout the event.
Hudson, 24, was seen on the sidelines before the match against Stanford, where her 73-year-old partner, Belichick, played a pivotal role in guiding his team to a 20-15 victory.
Choosing to watch the game from a separate suite, Hudson positioned herself away from Schmitt, who has previously voiced criticism of her. This strategic distance seemed intentional, avoiding any potential friction.
At 35, Schmitt is married to Stephen Belichick, Bill’s son, who serves as the defensive coordinator at the University of North Carolina, working alongside his father.
The dynamics between Schmitt and Hudson remain somewhat ambiguous, though tensions flared after Schmitt openly criticized Hudson following their awkward CBS interview in April. During the interview, Hudson had caused a stir by cutting in off-camera to prevent Belichick from answering a question about their first meeting.
This incident triggered a wave of public criticism, leading former New England Patriots players Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski to speculate whether Hudson was acting in her capacity as Belichick’s unofficial spokesperson.
Things looked icy between Jordon Hudson and Jennifer Belichick at Saturday’s UNC game
Jennifer looked like she was having a great time as UNC recorded a vital victory
The 24-year-old Hudson, meanwhile, largely concentrated on the game away from Jennifer
Comedian Nikki Glaser stood up for Hudson, agreeing she was acting on behalf of Belichick. But spotting the clip and comment on Instagram, Schmitt wrote back: ‘Publicists act in a professional manner and don’t ‘storm’ off set delaying an interview.’
It was one of many critical comments that came off the back of that CBS interview – the broadcaster said that while they showed Hudson interfering once, she actually interrupted proceedings on several occasions. It led to one of Belichick’s ex-Patriots players, Ted Johnson, even going as far as to question if his old coach was ‘of sound mind’ to let Hudson have such an influence over his life.
Belichick, meanwhile, insisted Hudson did what she was supposed to do in a PR capacity and that he had only agreed to speak to CBS about a book he was promoting, not his personal life.
But the shot that would have hit closest to home definitely came from Schmitt. So with that in mind, it is perhaps no surprise that nearly seven months later, they are still keeping their distance.
But pictures show Schmitt having a great time cheering UNC on to victory as they beat another ACC rival on Saturday night in Stanford. After a disastrous start to the season, there are slow and steady signs of improvement for Belichick’s team.
When Hudson appeared on the sideline before the game, she seemingly had a message to send to her long list of critics.
She wore a necklace that read ‘Banned’, which has been interpreted as hitting back at reports UNC banned her from their facilities earlier this year.
The college put out a statement denying those reports.
Jennifer married longtime partner Steve back in 2017, with the couple tying the knot at the Siasconset Union Chapel in Nantucket.
For the 73-year-old Belichick, his team is showing signs of improving after a bad start
Jennifer has been married to Belichick’s son Stephen for eight years and has four kids with him
She seemed to take a shot at Hudson after the notorious CBS interview back in April
They’re also parents to four children; daughter Blakely Rose, eight, son Hayes William, four, daughter Quincy Grace, three, and son Rocco Joseph, two.
Steve, 38, has followed his legendary father into coaching, spending 11 years as a member of his Patriots backroom staff before enjoying a brief stint as defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies after his dad’s exit last year.
And when Belichick made a dramatic move into college football with North Carolina earlier this year, his oldest son followed him and took on the role of defensive coordinator with the Tar Heels.
UNC plays Wake Forest next Saturday afternoon.
