While Adam McCann-Gibbs feels his journey from Gaelic footballer to college athlete has been like something from a film, the County Down teenager still acknowledges it is surreal to have one of the greatest American football coaches of all time play a leading role in his story.
Bill Belichick, who won six Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots and two as an ******* istant with the New York Giants, swapped the NFL for the college game before last season and this weekend brings his North Carolina Tar Heels to Dublin for their season opener against Texas Christian University.
McCann-Gibbs, the team's punter who will be making his debut at this level should he feature at the Aviva Stadium, only took up the sport in recent years and is still learning its nuances. Few, of course, are more detail-orientated than Belichick with the former Down minor keen to soak up whatever he can from the 74-year-old.
"You're blown away whenever he goes up in a team meeting. Everyone shuts up really quickly and you're able to feed off his knowledge of the game," said McCann-Gibbs.
"It's just incredible. I might not understand everything yet but I'm learning from the guy that's at the top of his game."

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