Bill Belichick, 73, sits with Jordon Hudson’s dad as she gives emotional speech at beauty pageant

Bill Belichick put on a friendly display after appearing in public with Jordon Hudson’s father for the first time as they supported the ex-cheerleader at the Miss Maine USA contest.

Hudson finished as second runner-up, a place lower than she managed in 2024. Before he final placing was announced, she gave an emotional speech in front of her father and Belichick, saying ‘hate never wins’. 

The eight-time Super Bowl-winning coacg Belichick was escorted in by security before shaking hands with Heath Hudson, 52, and smiling at him ahead of the pageant getting started. Heath was also escorted to the front row seats by the former Navy veteran for the second day of the event, hoping to see his daughter, 24, don the winners tiara. 

Jordon was, however, awarded the Style award by the judges with Belichick and her father watching on. It comes after fans questions if Hudson’s parents supported the relationship, despite having an age gap of around 12 years themselves.

But the pair were seen happily chatting ahead of Hudson strutting her stuff on the stage, with sources confirming Bill has visited her childhood home in Hancock previously. Despite a special segment of the show dedicated to Mothers Day, Hudson was the only contestant not to record a message for her mother.

Hudson was animated and clapping, raising both fists in the air as she was announced as one of the ten semi-finalists, along with transgeder competitor Isabel St Cyr.  Fan favourites Hannah Trottier-Braun and Mara Carpenter – who was handed the Miss Congeniality award – also made the cut, with insiders claiming they’re Hudson’s toughest competition. 

She recovered well when, shortly after, she suffered a slight fashion mishap during the evening gown part of the contest, with her silver heel snagging on her purple dress. 

The hosts of Miss Maine confirmed they had to change the show schedule because of a four way tie in the category – before a second tie presented itself. Hudson held her hands together and mouthed ‘thank you’ as she was announced one of the top five.

She was joined by Mara Carpenter, Shelby Howell, Hannah Trottier-Braun and Reykha Lindor.

The brunette gave an impassioned statement during her interview section, telling the audience that ‘hate never wins’.

When asked how she was feeling she said: ‘I’m feeling an immense amount of pride right now.

‘I’m hoping that anybody who’s watching this finds the strength to push through whatever it is that they’re going through and embodies that hate never wins.’

Each of the top five are asked one question in front of the judges in their bid to become Miss Maine. 

Hudson grinned and pretended to grab a glance at her question, which was if she could relive one moment what would it be and why.

Taking a breath she smiled at the audience before responding: ‘I would go back to the days where I was on my family’s fishing boat in Hancock, Maine, and I think about this really often, because there’s a mass exodus of fishermen that’s occurring in the rural areas of Maine, and I don’t want to see more fishermen displaced.

‘As your next Miss Maine USA, I would make it a point to go into the communities, to go to the legislature, to go into the government and advocate for these people, so that they don’t have to think about these memories as a past moment.’

Just before the winners were announced, Hudson raised her eyebrows at her beau and father.

Heath smiled at his daughter’s fisherman speech, while stoic Belichick kept an expressionless face.

Both showed no reaction as Hudson was announced the second runner up – a place lower than she earned in 2024.

The brunette looked sad but smiled and blew a kiss into the crowd as she collected her award.

She clapped as the hosts announced Shelby Howell as Miss Maine USA 2025, with Mara Carpenter taking first runner up.

Despite the loss Hudson remained in good spirits, laughing and smiling with the other contestants.

Belichick was seen chatting with the current Miss Massachusetts, a friend of Hudson’s, giving her a kiss on the cheek after the loss was announced. Heath and Belichick made a quick exit following the announcement, accompanied by their security guard.

Earlier Sunday, Hudson was all smiles as she proved she really is a ‘believer in the secondhand market’ as she donned her lobster themed SuperBowl outfit for the final day of the Miss Maine contest. 

The 24-year-old beamed as she posed with her customized lobster bag – bedazzled to spell out “Save Maine Fishermen” in black rhinestones.

Hudson, a former cheerleader, thanked fans who told her she looked stunning, and waved as she strutted her stuff ahead of the final rounds of the contest.

She wore the same blue sequin dress with coral reef designs while attending Sports Illustrated’s Super Bowl event in February – with her glam inspired by her ‘nautical family history’.

The brunette bought both the dress and bag from Facebook Marketplace, and looked confident ahead of the final day of the Miss Maine contest in Portland, Maine.

Speaking about her outfit in February, she said: ‘I have a message that pays homage to my family and a message that I’d like to put out there and give a little bit of recognition to the fishermen in Maine.

‘They need help, and hopefully through fashion, we can bring awareness to the fact that fishermen and lobstermen in Maine are struggling.’

‘I’d like to use this national platform to bring attention to a small town issue. They need help, and hopefully through fashion, we can bring awareness to the fact that fishermen and lobstermen in Maine are struggling’

‘I really believe in the secondhand market,’ Hudson added, joking that it’s ‘better for the environment’ and for her wallet.

Hudson is preparing to strut her stuff on stage again, after Belichick, 73, swapped the sidelines for the front row to support his girlfriend.

Hudson winked at her older beau from the stage as he watched her stun in a gold minidress as she hit the stage to introduce herself to cheers.

He was welcomed by organizers keen to get a glimpse of the NFL legend, who was sat away from Hudson’s family – close by a side exit for a quick getaway.

The second runner up in 2024 confidently put her long legs on display during the preliminary swimsuit round, representing her hometown of Hancock.

Her confidence comes after DailyMail.com revealed that the brunette came close to dropping out of the contest amid being accused of ‘controlling’ her older lover.

Sources close to the ‘headstrong’ 24-year-old cheerleader revealed that she had been thinking about dropping out after the disastrous CBS interview aired of her interrupting on behalf of 49-years-older beau.

Hudson has been under siege for her role in their relationship for close to two weeks, in the run up to the contest in Portland, Maine.

Those close to the brunette confirmed to DailyMail.com that the backlash did make her consider dropping out, but her appetite to win after narrowly losing in 2024 meant she couldn’t step away.

One source told DailyMail.com: ‘All the girls were so worried about her, they’re all friends and she’s been so quiet all week.

‘It’s not like her to not post on social media or be out of touch with everyone for that long.

At the event in Portland, Maine, the beauty queen was spotted carrying a $3,500 Dior handbag, and she strutted on stage in her bikini to Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan.

It remains to be seen whether Hudson will go one better than last year and win the competition, with the final results being revealed on Sunday.

She could go on to compete in Miss USA 2025 if she wins the Miss Maine crown, and is no doubt hoping that her second bid will win her the top spot.

It comes after reports that Belichick’s family is ‘digging into’ Hudson, with fears she could tear down ‘everything he’s built,’ despite the pair insisting their relationship is a happy one.

The cringeworthy CBS interview sparked an outpouring of dismay around the relationship, from friends publicly vowing to intervene on Belichick’s behalf to former players he coached questioning his sanity.

Belichick, DailyMail.com exclusively reported, was not massively concerned by the backlash but it has now emerged that he is resuming his book tour with subtle signs that he might think he is better off without Hudson.

Page Six claims that Belichick was joined by Brandon Faber, the former vice-president of communications at the Chicago Bears, instead of Hudson.

‘Cooler heads may be starting to prevail,’ Page Six quoted a source as saying. ‘Her influence may be waning.’

Belichick hit out at CBS as the backlash at Hudson intensified as a result of their interview. He accused CBS of using ‘selectively edited clips’ that have made Hudson the subject of ongoing ridicule.

‘I repeatedly expressed to the reporter, Tony Dokoupil, and the producers that I preferred to keep the conversation centered on the book,’ Belichick said.

‘After this occurred several times, Jordon, with whom I share both a personal and professional relationship, stepped in to reiterate that point to help focus the discussion.’