Legendary Croatian-American NFL coach Bill Belichick coming to Zadar

Bill Belichick (Screenshot/HRT)

Legendary Croatian-American NFL coach Bill Belichick (72) is coming to Zadar. 

From June 6th to 8th, Belichick will be a guest at the Sunset Sports Media Festival in Zadar.

As well as Belichick and other names, former Italian football star Alessandro Del Piero will also be an honorary guest of the third edition of the Sunset Sports Media Festival. 

Belichick’s appearance was made possible by another Croatian-American, Pete Radovich, who is vice president for production and senior creative director at CBS Sports.

“Bill and I share a similar background; we were both born and raised in America, but we respect Croatian heritage and love coming here,” said Pete Radovich, before adding.

“I know Bill has visited Croatia several times in the past, but I’m excited that he will publicly appear for the first time at the Sunset Sports Media Festival and share his story with the Croatian audience. 

A million people have seen him wearing a Croatian flag on his chest at NFL games, but I think the local audience will be surprised to hear how much his Croatian heritage truly means to him,” Radovich said.

Bill Belichick proudly shows off his Croatian roots with flag on chest (Screenshot)

Belichick, which is an Americanised version of the surname Biličić from his grandfather Ivan, originates from Draganići near Karlovac, from where his grandfather Ivan and his wife Marija went to Monessen near Pittsburgh in 1897. 

“My grandfather emigrated and got his citizenship (US) in 1915. My grandfather came over by himself, he was married to Mary (Marija) and came over to work in the coal or steel mills in western Pennsylvania. After two years, Mary decided to come over and look for him. She got on a boat and came to the United States and so they were kind of reunited then and started the family,” Belichick said earlier. 

“In my grandmother’s household there was not much English spoken. My dad understood Croatian and my mum learned it very quickly so she loved talking to my grandmother and her brother and other Croatians who would be in the house in Croatian. To tell you the truth, I didn’t know what was going on unless someone talked to me in English. 

We went and visited where my grandparents lived outside of Zagreb in Draganic. So visually we can picture where they grew up and lived. It was important for all of us as it was the first time I did it as well. It was great to experience that with our kids, Stephen has a Croatian tattoo on his arm so he carries it with him.”

He has coached several NFL teams, and his incredible success with the New England Patriots will forever be written in the history books.

“Following last year’s extremely successful turnout, with the third edition of the festival we aim to exceed all expectations once again. The festival has become the epicenter for connecting all segments of the sports and media industries; from athletes and club leaders to media companies and marketing experts.

The globalization of sports today is stronger than ever, and the Sunset Sports Media Festival wants to remain a key destination for all those who want to follow the latest trends and innovations in the world of sports and media. With the arrival of big names and top-quality speakers, this year we will bring unforgettable moments, instructive conversations and diversity that will satisfy all visitors,” said Damjan Rudež, director of the Sunset Sports Media Festival and former NBA star.