Milton Williams, a key player for the New England Patriots, revealed that head coach Mike Vrabel allowed the team to celebrate their AFC Championship Game victory without a curfew. However, he also emphasized that anyone who misses the team bus the next morning will not be part of the Super Bowl roster. This statement came after the Patriots secured a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in a snow-covered game at Mile High, which sent them to Super Bowl LX.

The game was a crucial matchup between the AFC No. 1 seed, the Broncos, and the Patriots. With Bo Nix sidelined, Jarrett Stidham took the lead for Denver, but the Patriots managed to capitalize on the challenging weather conditions to claim the win. The victory marked the first time the Patriots have reached the Super Bowl since Super Bowl LIII and their first trip to the Big Game in the post-Tom Brady era.

Despite the win, the game was marred by controversy when officials admitted to a mistake that denied the Patriots a touchdown, causing confusion among players and fans alike. Additionally, one of the team’s star players sparked outrage with his disrespectful conduct during the national anthem.

New England’s defense played a pivotal role in the win, recording three sacks, forcing a fumble recovery, and securing an interception when Christian Gonzalez picked off Stidham on a deep pass. After the game, the team celebrated their hard-earned success, and Vrabel addressed the players in the locker room before Williams shared the message with reporters.

“No curfew tonight,” Williams said. “But the bus leaving at 8 in the morning—so if you ain’t on it, you ain’t playing in the Bowl.” When asked if Vrabel was being serious, Williams added, “Oh yeah. I ain’t playing.”

Williams, who signed a four-year deal worth $26 million annually, became the highest-paid player in Patriots history. His contract was earned after a standout performance against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs during the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory. In his first season with New England, Williams recorded 3.5 sacks and proved to be a dominant force on the defensive line. He is expected to be one of the first players on the bus as the Patriots prepare for the Super Bowl.

Vrabel’s leadership has been instrumental in the team’s turnaround. In his first season as head coach, the Patriots made it to the Super Bowl after winning only four games the previous season, making them the first team in the Super Bowl era to achieve this feat after hiring a new head coach.

“I have to believe in things sometimes before I can see them,” Vrabel said. “You have to believe that what you’re doing is the right thing, and if it’s not, you have to recognize it and make adjustments. We got a great group of guys, and they continue to believe in the things we did. They formed and created an identity, and they try to protect it.”

He continued, “Today was just another example of how things change and unfold, and our ability to adjust. From a personnel standpoint, from a coaching standpoint, and from the players, you get everybody to believe in something and buy in. That doesn’t come without adversity. But I do this for the players. I’ve been in their position. I’ve been there, and it’s amazing. I want other people to feel that feeling.”