Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman support Bill Belichick amid CBS interview controversy with Jordon Hudson

Two of Bill Belichick's former players are coming to his defense.

Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski have spoken on the viral moment involving Belichick's girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, from his interview with CBS and believe there's nothing wrong with her increasing role in the coach's professional life.

The six-time Super Bowl champion has been the center of a media firestorm in recent days stemming from Hudson interrupting the interview. On Wednesday, The Athletic released a report detailing her increasing involvement with the UNC football program, including an alleged role in shutting down the production of an HBO "Hard Knocks" series on the Tar Heels.

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Every sports media personality, from Stephen A. Smith to Charles Barkley, seems to have an opinion on Belichick, 73, and Hudson, 24. Edelman and Gronkowski are sticking by their guy.  

Here's what Edelman and Gronkowski said about Bill Belichick.

What did Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman say about Bill Belichick?

Speaking on Edelman's "Dudes on Dudes" podcast, Edelman said the moment with Hudson during the interview is getting over-analyzed. He thinks the coach is allowing Hudson to also be his representative, and she was just doing her job.

“Coach Belichick and this whole interview thing with Jordon, people are giving an unfair reality of what’s going on,” Edelman said. “Because she was jumping into that conversation during the interview, just like any P.R. person would jump in when there’s an unnecessary question that they probably didn’t go over in the pre-production meeting.”

Gronkowski agreed that there is nothing wrong with the relationship evolving to become more professional, whether people approve of it or not.

“Yeah, she’s becoming his representative on top of being a girlfriend,” the four-time All-Pro tight end said. “No one’s really put this hand in hand together: When your name is Jordon (Jordan) and you’re on the University of North Carolina Tar Heels campus, you’re God.”

MORE: Bill Belichick-Jordon Hudson dating timeline

Bill Belichick statement on CBS interview

Belichick released a statement on Wednesday specifically addressing the moment involving Hudson during his interview. Among a number of awkward exchanges during the sit-down with CBS's Tony Dokoupil, Hudson's interjection has gotten the most attention since it aired on Sunday.

Belichick's statement says, "I agreed to speak with CBS Sunday Morning to promote my new book, 'The Art of Winning - Lessons from My Football Life.' Prior to this interview, I clearly communicated with my publicist at Simon and Schuster that any promotional interviews I participated in would focus solely on the contents of the book. Unfortunately, that expectation was not honored during the interview." 

CBS released a statement in response. The network said, "When we agreed to speak with Mr. Belichick, it was for a wide-ranging interview. There were no preconditions or limitations to this conversation. This was confirmed repeatedly with his publisher before the interview took place and after it was completed."

MORE: Bill Belichick releases statement on CBS interview

Bill Belichick CBS interview

Belichick's interview with CBS covered many topics, including some that had him stumbling over his words at times. Hudson's interruption occurs at around the 6:20 mark in the clip below. The interviewer asks how she and Belichick met, which prompts her to say, "We're not talking about this," from the background.

Bill Belichick, second in all-time NFL wins and a six-time Super Bowl champion, talks with "CBS Mornings” Tony Dokoupil about his father's advice, Tom Brady, and his new book, “The Art of Winning.” https://t.co/SsQxUwmape pic.twitter.com/kSAt2pLKcq