In stating that he was not an expert on football deflation science, Belichick said, “I’m not an expert in football measurements, I’m just telling you what I know. I would not say that I’m Mona Lisa Vito of the football world as she was of the car expertise area.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick held a news conference Saturday afternoon to address Deflategate again. Belichick spoke about air pressure and denied the team intentionally deflated footballs during their AFC Championship game against the Colts last Sunday. Belichick was serious throughout, perhaps that’s why a seemingly out-of-nowhere reference to a ’90s comedy drew some attention from those watching his statement.


If this reference went over your head, you probably missed the 1992 comedy “My Cousin Vinny.” In it, New York lawyer Vincent LaGuardia Gambini or “Vinny,” played by Joe Pesci, travels to Alabama to defend his cousin, played by Ralph Macchio (of “Karate Kid” fame), when the cousin is accused of murder.

As the movie progresses, Vinny has to prove he’s worthy of the Alabama court’s respect; they have doubts, as he is from New York (naturally). Vinny brings his girlfriend Mona Lisa Vito, played by Marisa Tomei, in as a car mechanic expert. She wows an incredulous court — many of whom doubted her because she’s a gum-chewing, short-dress-wearing New Yorker — with her car knowledge. Audiences fell in love with Tomei’s sassy character, and she even won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

It’s not the most obvious person who Belichick could have identified with during his struggle with Deflategate, but maybe he’s been watching the movie on Starz, as it’s playing this weekend.

Watch a clip from “My Cousin Vinny” below.