Image courtesy of Wrestling Fandom

FOXBOROUGH – Everyone saw Mack Hollins’ entrance to the AFC title game in Denver.

Everyone saw Vrabel and the team repeatedly yelling ‘Warriorsss! Come out and playyyy!” after the win at snowy Empower Field.

Obviously, it’s been in reference to the 1979 film ‘The Warriors.’ But, it was actually a different type of Road Warriors example that Vrabel began using earlier this season. If you’re a wrestling fan, his response brought a smile to your (and my) face on Thursday afternoon…

“Because when we started this thing in Miami, I ran out of WWF clips to show them about the Road Warriors,” he said with a smile. That of course, is in reference to ‘Road Warrior Hawk’ and ‘Road Warrior Animal,’ one of the most historic pro wrestling tag teams in history known as The Legion of Doom.

“So, the next thing I could think of was that movie clip, and that’s what we went with, and it’s amazing what sticks. I didn’t think at the time that it would have stuck, but here we are at the end of January, and it’s still sticking.”

Mack Hollins has certainly been a catalyst for a lot of the stuff the Pats have used or gotten behind this year, but Vrabel’s ability to get guys to continue heeding his messaging has been a key to the success.

Could we possibly see the spiked shoulder pads in Santa Clara?

One can only hope.

“Again, I’ve been through this. I don’t know that players need to be motivated, I think they’re motivated. I hope it’s to win a championship, a Super Bowl,” Vrabel added on motivation. “If it’s money, that’s fine, it’s professional football. Date the cheerleader, whatever motivates them. I mean, as high school players – whatever motivates you. We’re trying to inspire them, and give them confidence and trust in doing their job.

“So, I used to think I needed to motivate them; I try to inspire them to do their job with confidence.”