On Wednesday, legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady retired, presumably for good this time. Brady’s longtime coach with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, offered his thoughts on the monumental news.
“Tom Brady was the ultimate winner,” said Belichick in a statement. “He entered the NFL with little to no fanfare and leaves as the most successful player in league history. His relentless pursuit of excellence drove him on a daily basis. His work ethic and desire to win were both motivational and inspirational to teammates and coaches alike. Tom was a true professional who carried himself with class and integrity throughout his career. I thank Tom for the positive impact he had on me and on the Patriots and congratulate him on his amazing career.”
Belichick drafted Brady with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. By his second season, Brady was starting for the Patriots and led the franchise to its first Super Bowl victory. By the time he left New England in 2019, the duo combined to win 17 division titles, appear in 13 AFC Championship Games, make nine Super Bowls, and win six Super Bowl championships.
While Brady went on to win another Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he and Belichick will be synonymous with one another in NFL history.
[Patriots]
