Bill Belichick Responds To Tom Brady Leaving Patriots
Bill Belichick responded to Tom Brady leaving the New England Patriots with a lengthy statement acknowledging his skill and commitment.
On Tuesday morning, Brady announced on social media that he was leaving the Patriots after 20 seasons.
Although the decision was not totally unexpected, it was still startling.
The 42-year-old will now certainly wear a new uniform come the 2020-21 season.
Statements from #Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft and Head Coach Bill Belichick on Tom Brady’s Patriots career: https://t.co/DFmmbzAIdo pic.twitter.com/flVpDFB4HJ
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 17, 2020
“Tom was not just a player who bought into our program,” Belichick said.
“He was one of its original creators. Tom lived and perpetuated our culture. On a daily basis, he was a tone setter and a bar raiser. He won championships in three of his first four years on the field and in three of his final six seasons with us, while competing for championships in most every season in between.
“This is a credit to Tom’s consistency and what separates him. He didn’t just perform. He didn’t just win. He won championships over and over again.”
Belichick also sought to address the idea that his relationship with Brady had become fraught.
“Tom and I will always have a great relationship built on love, admiration, respect and appreciation. Tom’s success as a player and his character as a person are exceptional.
“Nothing about the end of Tom’s Patriots career changes how unfathomably spectacular it was. With his relentless competitiveness and longevity, he earned everyone’s adoration and will be celebrated forever. It has been a privilege to coach Tom Brady for 20 years.”
The Patriots head coach then went on to point out that Brady has been able to shock the world ever since the beginning of his storied career.
“Examples of Tom’s greatness are limitless, going back even before he was drafted,” he continued.
“We witnessed how he prepared when he wasn’t playing, how he performed when he got his opportunity, what he did to continuously improve, his leadership, his mindset, the example he set, and, of course, the person he is. I am extremely grateful for what he did for our team and for me personally.”
Belichick then closed things out by settling the debate once and for all and calling Brady the greatest quarterback of all time.
“Sometimes in life, it takes some time to pass before truly appreciating something or someone but that has not been the case with Tom. He is a special person and the greatest quarterback of all-time.”
Brady is said to be choosing between the Los Angeles Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins for which team he wants to play for next.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
