When you talk about the New England Patriots’ success over the last 20 years, there are only two names that matter: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The player and coach have been joined at the hip, for better or worse, during the franchise’s dynastic run.
But, after Brady shocked the NFL world this offseason by announcing his plans to leave New England for a new team, people began to speculate as to whether the future Hall of Fame quarterback had finally had enough of Belichick. Now, the debate about who the true mastermind was behind the Patriots’ six Super Bowl titles rages on more than ever.
Yet, if you ask Brady, he holds no ill will towards his former head coach, and also thinks it’s an unfair argument to ask who was the more successful person. Speaking on The Howard Stern Show today, Brady tried to put things to rest.
(via ESPN):
“I think it’s a pretty s—ty argument actually that people would say that, because again, I can’t do [Bill’s] job, and he can’t do mine. So the fact you could say, ‘Would I be successful without him, the same level of success?’ I don’t believe I would have been. But I feel the same vice versa, as well. To have him allowed me to be the best I can be, so I’m grateful for that. I very much believe that he feels the same way about me, because we’ve expressed that to each other.”
Look, 20 years is a long time for a player and coach to be together. The fact that the pair were able to make it work for so long, and have the sustained level success that they did, shows that they both worked well off each other.
For Brady, it was just time for a change and a new chapter in his life. His departure from New England doesn’t negate the 20-year run he had. Plus, if there is any ill will between the player and coach, time heals all wounds. Brady and Belichick will always be mentioned together, and I’m sure both are perfectly all right with that.
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