The grey hoodie with the sleeves cut off that New England Patriots football coach Bill Belichick often wears on the sidelines adorned the statues of historical figures in Boston’s Copley Square on Wednesday.

Christopher Columbus was among those fitted with the much-maligned garment as part of promotion a for a NFL Network documentary on Belichick’s coaching life, which will air on Thursday.

The decision to involve iconic figures such as Columbus in an ad campaign raised some eyebrows, but a spokesperson for the Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department explained that they gave the NFL Network permission to use the statues because they had made a charitable donation to help restore other statues throughout the city.

As for Belichick, the famously tight-lipped coach had no comment on the stunt. “His focus this time of year is solely on football,’’ said team spokesman on his behalf.

 

 

More From 600 ESPN El Paso