Holding a 16-10 lead in the fourth quarter of their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, the New England Patriots recognized they needed to find extra resolve to secure a victory. In the process, they stumbled upon a mantra that would resonate throughout the entire season.
For the Patriots, it was time to “take them to the hill.”
This phrase began to circulate in the huddle and along the sidelines, referring to the team’s rigorous conditioning routines. For years, the Patriots have conducted post-practice sprints on an incline near their practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, which was even highlighted in NFL Films’ Do Your Job documentary after Super Bowl LI.
Even as the team transitions into a new chapter under Jerod Mayo after Bill Belichick’s tenure, their hill workouts continue to be integral to their training culture. During the game against the Bengals, it also became emblematic of the team’s superior fitness.
“As the game unfolded, we recognized what type of contest it had become. The great part was that there were no egos in the huddle,” said quarterback Jacoby Brissett. “Everyone was on board, realizing we were successfully running the same play. I think it was one of the more memorable moments of my career when everyone in the huddle agreed, ‘Let’s take them to the hill,’ knowing our conditioning was far better than theirs, and it made a difference.”
The Patriots’ focus on physical preparation was expected. Even during his initial press conference, Mayo discussed how the team’s foundation would be built in the weight room.
The practical aspects of this included daily hill sprints during training camp, which significantly contributed to their success against the Bengals.
This also fostered a shared motto for the team.
“A few players in the locker room said, ‘Take them to the hill,’ and we all understood it meant we were ready to finish the game,” explained defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. “That’s become our motto, especially in close fourth-quarter situations.”
It’s unclear whether the phrase originated with Jacoby Brissett or someone else, but that detail holds little significance.
Ultimately, “Take them to the hill” emerged as a grassroots initiative: born from players for players.
“That was initiated by the players,” Mayo highlighted in a recent press conference. “We talked about intentionally creating challenges in practice. One of those methods is to head to the hill after a two-hour and 15-minute practice. You can either dread it or embrace it as a way to push your limits.”
“I frequently remind the players that their minds will give up before their bodies do. The ability to push through at the hill or tackle tougher challenges, as we often phrase it, stems from our confidence in our conditioning. The players who first suggested, ‘Take them to the hill’ during those decisive moments in the game—it’s fantastic.”
For Brissett, the significance of the saying lies in its consistent application. The game against Cincinnati was just a beginning, with the next challenge coming in their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
“You can see the direction we’re heading in and the results of following the process and committing to the plan,” he remarked. “Of course, there will be days when the results aren’t what we hope for, but achieving success only highlights the necessity of maintaining our preparation efforts.”
