It’s official, and the end of an era is over for the New England Patriots.
On January 11, reports revealed that Robert Kraft and the Patriots have made the decision to move on from head coach Bill Belichick.
While the top guy for the organization, Belichick was one of the best coaches in the history of the NFL. With Tom Brady by his side, the legendary duo won 8 Super Bowls and was named AP’s coach of the year three times.
In his departing statements, he told reporters, “This is a day of gratitude and celebration. I’ll always be a Patriot. I look forward to coming back here. I’ll always have those great memories. I’ll carry those with me the rest of my life.” Kraft admitted it was an emotional day for him as well.
After the news was made public that Belichick would no longer be running the show in New England, Brady turned to Instagram to make a statement.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL,” Tom began his statement alongside a picture of him and Belichick smiling on the field. “He was a great leader for the organization, and for all of the players who played for him.”
“We accomplished some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be hard to replicate. He worked every day to help us achieve the ultimate goal, in the ultimate team sport. And, although we were successful, some of the greatest lessons I learned were in the moments where we faced the most challenging adversities.”
As Brady continued, “He set the tone for the organization to never falter in the face of adversity, and to do what we could do, and what was in our control, which was to go out and DO OUR JOB. I could never have been the player I was without you, Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next.”
It’s unclear what Belichick will do next, whether he will go to another team or retire completely. But like Brady, we wish him the best!