After a long, agonizing silence, Malcolm Butler really has opened up this week about his infamous benching in Super Bowl LII.

The Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe published a piece Wednesday, in which Butler explained why he believes he didn’t play a defensive snap in the Patriots’ crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. And in a telephone conversation with SB Nation’s Thomas George on Wednesday, Butler — who just signed with the Tennessee Titans — revealed what Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said to him after the game.

Per George:

“You’re a fighter and good luck in the future,” Belichick said, according to Butler.

“Thank you,” Butler said he replied.

Short and (bitter)sweet.