Tom Brady has penned an emotional tribute to the “best coach in NFL history” Bill Belichick following the 71-year-old's departure from the Patriots, honoring the “amazing” dynasty that saw them win six Super Bowls between them.
The 46-year-old Brady and seven-time Super Bowl champion played under Belichick, whom he considers a “father figure,” in New England for 20 seasons, from the year he was drafted in 2000 through 2020.
He left the Patriots two years before retiring in 2022 and won his first and only Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under then-head coach Bruce Arians.
“I am incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in NFL history,” Brady wrote at the beginning of his statement to Belichick on Thursday.
“He was a great leader for the organization and for all the players who played for him. “We have achieved some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be difficult to repeat. He worked every day to achieve the ultimate goal in the ultimate sport.”
Tom Brady has written a lengthy tribute to Bill Belichick, who he considers a “father figure.”
The duo won six Super Bowls together (2000-2020), creating one of the greatest NFL dynasties of all time
Brady (L), Belichick (R) and Patriots owner Robert Kraft (C) after winning Super Bowl XLIX in 15
Brady wrote that while they were successful, he learned many “lessons” under Belichick
“And while we were successful, I learned some of the greatest lessons in the moments when we faced the greatest adversity. He set the tone for the organization to never falter in the face of adversity and to do what we could do and what was in our power, which was to go out and do our jobs.
“Without you, Coach Belichick, I would never have been the player I was.” I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in your next election.”
In a week filled with shocking departures, most notably from Nick Saban at Alabama and Pete Carroll at Seattle, there appear to be only questions about Belichick's future from all three major football coaches. Saban announced his retirement from football, while Carroll, at age 72, is also likely to take that path.
Belichick, however, has dismissed speculation that he will fully recover from the starting lineup as he has been linked to open coaching vacancies with the LA Chargers, where he would coach a talented quarterback in Justin Herbert, and the Atlanta Falcons.
“I will always be a Patriot … but for now I will move on,” Belichick said at his final news conference on Thursday, indicating he still wants to coach or take on a leadership role with a franchise. In New England he was de-factor general manager and head coach since 2000.
Brady and Belichick hold the record for the most Super Bowl appearances by a player and head coach in NFL history
Brady only won one Super Bowl title without Belichick in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brady and Belichick hug after the Patriots beat the Jaguars in the 2018 AFC title game
During his 24-year reign with the Patriots, the Brady-Belichick era stood out to fans the most. And of course because of her endless list of achievements. Under Belichick and Brady, the Patriots played in nine Super Bowls, more than any other NFL franchise, and won a league record six (tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
They also had 19 consecutive winning seasons, 17 division titles (including 11 straight from 2009 to 2019), 14 AFC Championship game appearances (including eight straight from 2011 to 2018) and the only undefeated 16-game regular season in 2007.
The Patriots starred in half of all Super Bowls in Brady's 18 seasons and won two-thirds of them.
In addition to helping set the Patriots' franchise records, Brady and Belichick also hold the records for most Super Bowl appearances and wins by a player and head coach, respectively. Belichick also holds the record for most playoff wins by a head coach (31) and Super Bowl appearances by an individual (12), while Brady holds the quarterback record for career wins (264), regular season wins (230) and playoffs wins (34) and the record for Super Bowl MVP awards (five).
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