She's 24 and he's 73. How Bill and Jordan navigate a 49-year age gap.

For more than two decades, Bill Belichick was the no-nonsense king of American football, coaching the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins. 

Belichick was known for his gruff demeanour, rarely cracking a smile. Wearing the same cut-off hoodie to almost every game became part of his no-nonsense football-first personal brand. Even his own players were reportedly on their best behaviour in his presence.

So when headlines started circulating that the 73-year-old coaching legend was dating 24-year-old Jordon Hudson — a former competitive cheerleader and beauty pageant contestant — it got people talking. And not just because of the almost 50-year age gap.

Watch: Official trailer of age-gap romance, Babygirl. Article continues after the video.

With Belichick taking on a new role coaching college football at the University of North Carolina, his relationship is stirring up more than just gossip. It's become a full-blown media storm.

How did the couple meet?

Belichick met Hudson on a flight from Boston to Florida, according to TMZ. She was a college student studying philosophy. He was one of the most powerful men in American football.

They reportedly struck up a conversation over a textbook, exchanged contact details, and promised to stay in touch.

The couple began dating in early 2023, following Belichick's separation from longtime partner Linda Holliday in 2022.

The new couple hard-launched their relationship in 2024, appearing together at a red carpet event that sent tongues wagging.

By then, she'd also been seen at his book launch and several team practices. There were even reports that Hudson had begun managing aspects of Belichick's personal brand. 

The media ate it up. Then, in April, the couple's relationship went viral following an interview on CBS's Sunday Morning programme.

The segment was intended to promote Belichick's forthcoming book, The Art of Winning: Lessons from a Life in Football. But when journalist Tony Dokoupil asked Belichick how he met his 24-year-old girlfriend, she interjected from off-camera. 

"We're not talking about this," Hudson said, leading to a visibly uncomfortable moment that quickly went viral.

What does the relationship mean for Belichick's legacy?

Former high-profile players, including Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, have suggested Belichick might not be as focused as he used to be. While sports analyst Pablo Torre says there's a chance Belichick might never coach a single game for UNC. 

And then there's Hudson, who recently competed in the Miss Maine USA pageant, coming in third, as Belichick watched on.

With Belichick now caught up in red carpet appearances and social media speculation, questions are being raised about whether this new chapter could tarnish the legacy he's spent decades building.

In a different context, an older football star dating a younger woman might be shrugged off as cliché. But when you've built a reputation on focus and restraint, venturing this far off course gets noticed.

And now, people are wondering what he'll be remembered for — being one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, or his controversial new chapter. 

Feature image: Getty.