Belichick brushes aside thoughts of retirement

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bill Belichick says he's focusing on Sunday's Super Bowl and not thinking about retiring after 37 years as a coach in the NFL.

In his final news conference before the New England Patriots face the New York Giants, he was asked on Friday if winning his sixth NFL championship as an assistant or head coach might influence him to retire.

He didn't answer directly but said he still enjoys coaching young players and veterans and likes preparing them for games and the games themselves.

"It beats working," said Belichick, who turns 60 on April 16.

He also said that tight end Rob Gronkowski, recovering from a high left ankle sprain, appeared to have no setbacks from his first Super Bowl practice on Thursday.