Report: Jonas Gray Sent Home By Bill Belichick For Being Late
BOSTON (CBS) -- In a matter of just a few hours on Sunday night, Jonas Gray went from being an undrafted, unknown running back to a national star who graced the cover of Sports Illustrated.
And just like that, on Friday, Gray was brought back to earth by his head coach.
Gray was absent from Friday's practice, initially for unknown reasons. Yet later in the afternoon, the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reported that Gray was sent home from the facility after he showed up late.
Jonas Gray was late to Gillette Stadium this morning and sent home, according to two sources. That's why he wasn't at practice.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) November 21, 2014
Gray, 24, rushed for 201 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries on Sunday night in Indianapolis. Previously, he had just 32 carries for 131 yards and zero touchdowns in his career, all of which he gained this season with the Patriots.
Belichick has a long record of having a zero-tolerance policy with regard to tardiness. He famously sent home Adalius Thomas, Randy Moss, Derrick Burgess and Gary Guyton after the four players showed up late during a snowstorm in 2009. This season, Belichick sent home superstar Darrelle Revis for the same offense. Revis made amends with the head coach later that day, and the two moved on rather quickly.
According to Howe, Gray planned on returning to Gillette Stadium in the afternoon to apologize to Belichick.