If you watched Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos or any buildup to the week, you might have seen head coach Mike Vrabel and others wearing a “T Strong” shirt or patch.
That’s to pay honor and support to defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. He’s a former ECU football star who played nose guard and helped the Pirates earn a Liberty Bowl victory over Stanford in 1995. He is battling prostate cancer, which was announced during Week 4.
Mike Vrabel wearing a “T Strong” shirt for Terrell Williams as he fights prostate cancer.
YOU GOT THIS TERRELL pic.twitter.com/ynLjKAmK6d
— Savage (@SavageSports_) September 28, 2025
ProFootballNetwork.com reports, “Williams, 51, had been away from the team while working with specialists in the Patriots area on treatment plans. Vrabel said, ‘We want to send our regards and let everybody know publicly that’s what he’s dealing with.’”
Pro Football Network also reports the T-shirts were not planned as a marketing ploy, “but were a locker-room decision. A visible reminder that the Patriots’ defensive architect is still very much part of the team, even while away from the sideline.”
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