There's been a lot of discussion surrounding Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in recent weeks, and when asked for a message to his former coach this week, the Tampa Bay quarterback offered some very high praise.
“I have a great relationship with him," Brady said via Zoom as part of the NFL's Opening Night festivities. "Again, I am just incredibly grateful for what he’s meant in my life as a coach. He was everything you could ask for as a player. I loved my time and two incredible decades there. My football journey took me to a different place and I certainly could never have accomplished the things in my career without his support and his teachings.
"Incredible coach and mentor for me. I have had a lot of those in my career, but obviously he’s at the top of the list.”
Brady had a long, glowing response about Bruce Arians last week, which some took to be a shot at Belichick, but what Brady said Monday shows he truly appreciates his former coach and what he's meant to him over the years.
Sure, he has a different relationship with Arians, but that doesn't diminish Belichick's impact.
Brady will play in his 10th Super Bowl this Sunday against the Chiefs.