MIAMI – Bill Parcells yesterday pulled out of coaching in next week’s Pro Bowl, citing his health as an issue.
By NFL rule, the coaching staffs from the losing AFC and NFC Championship Games are required to coach the respective conferences in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.
The rest of the Jets’ staff, led by assistant head coach/defense Bill Belichick, will fulfill that obligation with Parcells staying behind. This is the second NFL-run event that Parcells has not participated in during his two years with the Jets.
Officially, Parcells received medical clearance from Jets team doctors who examined him after the season. Unofficially, Parcells spoke immediately following the season about “being tired” and “needing rest” and, because of free agency and other immediate offseason issues, not knowing when he would get the chance to shut it down.
Parcells, 57, underwent a series of medical tests last week and doctors told the NFL office that he should not travel to Hawaii at this time. Parcells has had several of heart procedures, including open-heart surgery.
“Coach Parcells was examined by his cardiologist as well as by me in my office a couple days after the Denver game [the Jets’ 23-10 loss to the Broncos in the AFC title game],” said Jets’ medical director, Dr. Elliot Pellman. “He clearly was showing the physical effects of the long season. Given his medical history, I told him that he should not travel to Hawaii and participate in the Pro Bowl. He will remain under my care for the foreseeable future.”
Parcells, in a statement, said, “I was in the midst of my preparation for the Pro Bowl with my staff and fully planned to carry out my obligation under the NFL guidelines. But, after undergoing a thorough medical examination, I feel it would be a big mistake on my part not to listen to the doctors.
“I have nothing but respect for the Pro Bowl and the great players that are in it. Frankly, I’ll miss being around them. But I will follow Dr. Pellman’s advice. The limited period of rest will rejuvenate me and allow me to continue to carry out my duties and commitments to the ownership and organization of the New York Jets and do everything I can to improve our team.”
Belichick will take charge of the Jets’ staff and coach the AFC team for the Feb. 7 game against the NFC, which will be coached by Minnesota’s Dennis Green.
This is the second NFL-run post-season game that Parcells has not participated in. Last year, with the Jets the team with the best regular-season record not to make the playoffs, they were required to coach the Senior Bowl. But Parcells, not wanting to do it, asked out.