TOM Brady has addressed his ex-head coach Bill Belichick’s departure from the New England Patriots, crediting the NFL coaching legend for the player he became.
Brady and Belichick, 71, won six Super Bowl titles together during the Patriot Way era in New England.
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Tom Brady has opened up about his ex-New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s departure from the teamCredit: Getty
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In an emotional social media post, Brady shared a picture of himself celebrating with Belichick and credited him for the success the retired QB enjoyed in his career
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Belichick announced leaving the Patriots after 24 years during a Thursday press conferenceCredit: Reuters
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Brady and Belichick led the Pats to six Super Bowl titlesCredit: AP
On Thursday, Belichick confirmed he and Pats owner Robert Kraft agreed to mutually part ways in a meeting the night before.
Later that day, Brady paid homage to his former head coach in a touching post on Instagram.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL,” he wrote.
“He was a great leader for the organization, and for all of the players who played for him.
“We accomplished some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be hard to replicate.
“He worked every day to help us achieve the ultimate goal, in the ultimate team sport.
“And, although we were successful, some of the greatest lessons I learned were in the moments where we faced the most challenging adversities.
“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 control, which was to go out and DO OUR JOB.
“I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next.”
Rob Gronkowski joined his ex-teammate in paying homage to Belichick later on Thursday.
Gronk said he “wouldn’t change a thing” from his time in Foxboro.
Brady and Belichick spent 20 years together in New England.
The NFL coaching legend drafted Brady with the No. 199 overall pick before the 2000 NFL campaign, his first in charge of the Pats.
A year later, he handed the starting quarterback role to the ex-Michigan standout.
They led the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory that same season.
Brady would be the team’s starting signal-caller for 19 more campaigns in New England, winning five more Super Bowls in that span.
He missed the playoffs just once with Belichick (2002) and won three MVP awards as well.
Brady left New England in 2020 before winning another championship ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After the 2022 NFL season, Brady retired from the league.
Brady was welcomed back for the Patriots’ season home opener in 2023.
As for Belichick, he endured a brutal 4-13 season coaching the Patriots in 2023.
He made the playoffs just once after Brady’s departure in 2020.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Belichick announced that the latter will not return in 2024.
“Robert and I after a series of discussion have mutually agreed to part ways,” Belichick said during a press conference on Thursday.
“For me this is a day of gratitude and celebration. I’ll always be a Patriot.”
Kraft also stepped up to the podium and shared his appreciation for Belichick.
“This is an emotional day for me,” Kraft said.
“Some of my happiest and most memorable moments were celebrated with my family during Bill’s tenure here.”
Belichick made no indication of retiring and will be a hot commodity for NFL teams seeking a head coach.
The NFL has seven head coaching vacancies.
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