New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reached out to his phone book and called one of his biggest (literally and figuratively) former players to give his team a pep talk following a practice session on Thursday. According to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Belichick called on former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork to speak to the current group of New England players in hopes of lighting added fire underneath the team ahead of an all-important duel with the Philadelphia Eagles in this Sunday’s Super Bowl LII.

“He’s a great leader for us, team captain 11 years,” Belichick said, via the practice pool report. “A lot of friends here on the team, some new faces. But a guy that was very well respected and had tremendous leadership on the team. It was good to see him.”

Vince Wilfork was selected by the Patriots 21st overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. The stocky former Miami Hurricane would then proceed to have a successful NFL career, highlighted by two Super Bowl wins with the Patriots. Wilfork was also selected five times to the Pro Bowl. He played for the Patriots from 2004-2014 before signing a two year deal with the Houston Texans in 2015. Before hanging up his cleats, Wilfork inked a one-day contract to retire with the Patriots.

The Eagles are also set to receive a motivational talk from Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre the night before Super Bowl LII, but unlike Wilfork, Favre never played for the team he is about to give a mini-lecture on what it takes to be a champion.

In 13 seasons in the NFL, Wilfork managed to play in 189 games (158 with the Patriots) with 366 total tackles, 16.0 sacks, 12 fumbles recoveries, four forced fumbles, and 26 passes defended.