FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- From the “let's not take things too seriously” department, it was learned Friday that New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick used food as a motivational tool at practice with former defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

Wilfork told the story on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast during an appearance, of course, in which he was promoting a “petition” to make ribs “America’s food.”

“We used to do this thing every Friday. Friday would be our cool-down day, a light practice, and we would always kick the ball off. We’d all cover the kick, like a kickoff team, and every day I would go to Bill and say 'I’m going to make the tackle,'" Wilfork said on the podcast.

“He’s like, ‘Oh, you’re not going to make the tackle.’ So every day we would bet some type of food or something -- push-ups, anything. We would bet something if I would make the tackle or not. That tradition carried on throughout. They probably still do it now.”

Wilfork said on the podcast that the story was a reflection of Belichick understanding his players, having fun with them, and also how he relates to them.

Motivating the 325-pound Wilfork with food?

Of course, Belichick doesn’t miss too many tricks.