Forget Tom vs. Bill.
To Tom Brady, any discussion of whether he or Bill Belichick had the bigger effect on the Patriots’ dynasty should include both names, not just one.
“To coach Belichick, thank you for your tireless commitment to develop and push me to be my very best,” Brady said during his Patriots Hall of Fame introduction and jersey retirement ceremony Wednesday, according to Pro Football Talk. “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t you, it was us.”
Brady then offered a touching tribute to his former coach.
“Our hard work, our love of the game, and the way we worked for one another, that’s what it was all about,” Brady continued, as transcribed by PFT. “Let me make this crystal clear: There is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick.”
There have long been discussions about whether the quarterback or coach factored more into the Patriots’ dominance in the 2000s, especially after the pair split.
After winning six titles together, Brady went to the Buccaneers and added a seventh championship, which seemingly swung the pendulum in his favor.
Adding fuel to the fire is how the two have not always been on the best of terms, both during and after their time together.
With Brady now officially, officially retired — yes, we need the double officially after his previous un-retirement — the two, at least publicly, are seemingly attempting to mend fences.
Belichick participated in the Netflix roast of Brady in May and had some fun with the idea of which of the two should receive more credit for the team’s success.
“For all of you out there that think about who’s responsible for the Patriots’ success during the time that Tom and I were there,” Belichick said. “Was it Brady? Was it me? Was it Brady? Was it me? In reality, the truth of the matter is, it was both of us because of me.”
Brady returned fire later in the show while taking credit for the reign.
“I’ve been out of the game for a minute, so I am curious how many Super Bowls have you won since I left,” Brady said. “Maybe it’s not just the guy on the sidelines. When I go to the Indy 500, I don’t ask the winning driver who gassed up your car.”
A roast is obviously much different than a ceremony, and the pair offered much kinder remarks to one another at Gillette Stadium.
Belichick, who did not win a playoff game in three seasons after Brady left, made it clear that he will forever be grateful for the time they spent together.
“Tom. I want to say thanks on behalf of all the players, all the coaches, all the staff, the hundreds of people that are here and the thousands of fans that are here, thank you,” Belichick said. “Thank you for all you have done for us. Thank you for all you have done for me, and thank you for the example and model you have been for all of us on a daily basis for 20 years. You’re unbelievable. Congratulations.”
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