Tom Brady had a classy message for Bill Belichick during the legendary quarterback’s enshrinement into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame on Wednesday night.
Belichick was one of several special guests who attended Brady’s big night. When the coach walked onto the stage at sold-out Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., he received an ovation from the 60,000-plus fans in attendance that rivaled Brady’s.
BB 🐐 pic.twitter.com/MfYSwht6Bs
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 13, 2024
Even Brady stood out of his chair to encourage fans to continue cheering for his former coach. And when it came time for Brady to deliver his own speech, he included a powerful message for Belichick. Brady said there is no debate in his mind about whether he or Belichick deserve more credit for the six Super Bowl titles they won together in New England.
“Thank you for your tireless commitment pushing me to be my very best. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t you. It was us. … Let me make this crystal clear, there is no coach in the world I would rather play for,” Brady said.
Tom Brady to Bill Belichick:
"Thank you for your tireless commitment pushing me to be my very best. It wasn't me, it wasn't you. It was us…let me make this crystal clear, there is no coach in the world I would rather play for."
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) June 13, 2024
Brady immediately won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he left the Patriots in 2020. Belichick had just one playoff appearance and no postseason wins with the Patriots in the three years after Brady left. For many, that served as proof that Brady was more responsible for New England’s unprecedented success. Brady has always said he would not have had the same career without Belichick.
Even if Brady has hinted that he had issues with Belichick, the mutual respect between the two was on full display again on Wednesday night.
