Bill Belichick reacts to Donald Trump pre-inauguration shoutout to New England Patriots

Bill Belichick considers Donald Trump a personal friend, but when the new President of the United States used the pre-inauguration stage Thursday night to give the New England Patriots a shoutout, the stone-faced coach maintained his game face.

Asked at his Friday press conference ahead of the AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday whether he's ever been mentioned by a president-elect in an inauguration speech before, Belichick said, "No."

When asked for his reaction, Belichick said: "We have a big game."

Unmoved earlier in the week by the pomp and circumstance of the AFC title game, Belichick did send a letter of support to Trump during the height of the campaign. Quarterback Tom Brady is also a supporter.

Thursday during a GOP banquet, Trump tipped his hat to the Patriots.

"In the audience we have somebody that's under no pressure whatsoever 'cause he's got a great quarterback named Tom Brady, and a great coach named Belichick: Bob Kraft," Trump said. "So good luck, Bob. Your friend Tom just called, he feels good. He called to congratulate us, he feels good. Good luck. You're going to do great things."