Following his mom, Jeannette, passing away at age 98 from natural causes earlier this week, Bill Belichick opened his Thursday video conference by thanking everyone who has offered condolences the last few days, and also shared the bond he shared with her.
"First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has reached out and expressed their sympathy and condolences for my mom, especially Pete [Carroll] had some great words, John Harbaugh, many others that I know — friends, football people and honestly, many people that I have never met or contacted before," he said. "We do really appreciate the support there.
"As an only child — I mean, everybody has a certain relationship with their mom and dad — but as an only child I was especially close to my parents. My mom and I spent a lot of time together and she was a great woman and I certainly learned pretty much everything from my parents.
"Her love that she gave to her grandkids — to Amanda, Steve and Brian — was ultra-special to me as well. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and condolences that have been expressed. She had almost 99 years, so a very long and happy life. She will be with my dad now."
On Wednesday, Steve and Brian remembered their grandmother.
"She lived an amazing life," Steve said. "I was so, so fortunate to have such loving grandparents like her. I was excited that my daughter was able to meet her and spend some time with her before she passed. That meant a lot to me and my wife. That was really great. She was a very special person. I loved going to their house and spending time with her and my grandpa before he passed. She'll be missed. Now she's up in heaven with my grandpa, so I'm sure they're happy up there."
Brian added: "She made you feel like you were the most important person in the world to her. She was a great influence on me and influencing me on how to treat other people, how to bring great energy every day, be positive."
Bill's father, Steve, passed away in 2005.
