For 20 years, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were by each other’s side in New England. During that time, they won six Super Bowls with the Patriots as they built one of the best dynasties in NFL history.
Rumors and reports swirled about the end of Brady’s time in New England, though, especially regarding his relationship with Belichick. He later ended up in Tampa Bay, where he helped the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl – his seventh – as the Patriots struggled.
During Wednesday’s Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony, Brady paid tribute to the legendary coach and made it clear it was a team effort to win those rings.
“To Coach Belichick, thank you for your tireless commitment to develop and push me to be my very best,” Brady said. “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t you. It was us. Our hard work, our love of the game and the way we worked for one another – that’s what it was all about.
“Let me make this crystal clear. There is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick.”
Brady and Belichick went 249-75 during their time together from 2000-19, bringing six championships back to New England. There was speculation their relationship was turning at the time of his departure, but Brady made it clear multiple times that wasn’t the case, and did so again on Wednesday.
Belichick was notably in attendance for Brady’s Netflix Roast last month and got his share of shots in at his former star quarterback. Wednesday wasn’t about poking fun at Brady, though. It was about honoring his career in New England by inducting him into the team Hall of Fame just two years after his retirement – a big difference from the required four years to be eligible.
The celebration didn’t stop with the end of Brady’s speech, though. They’ll continue into the season.
Owner Robert Kraft announced Brady’s No. 12 jersey has been retired and no Patriot will ever wear it again. In addition, the team petitioned for a 12-foot statue of Brady to go in front of the Hall of Fame with plans to unveil it this season.
“There is only one iconic number that will always represent Tom Brady,” Kraft said. “And tonight, I promise that it will never be worn again as the No. 12 is now officially retired.”
With a full season of retirement under his belt, Brady is also gearing up for the next chapter of his football life as FOX Sports’ lead NFL analyst alongside Kevin Burkhardt.
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