Bill Belichick: Tom Brady Was 'The Ultimate Competitor And Winner' 

Quarterback Tom Brady officially announced his retirement from the NFL on the morning of Tuesday, February 1.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback has had a successful run through 22 seasons and seven Super Bowl titles. Prior to his two-season run in Tampa Bay, Brady had spent two decades with the New England Patriots.

Many raised eyebrows that Brady did not thank anyone by the Patriots by name, including coach Bill Belichick. However, Belichick posted a statement to Instagram to wish Tom Brady well on Wednesday.

Bill Belichick's statement was extremely complimentary, calling Brady "the ultimate competitor and winner." Belichick and Brady spent 20 seasons with the Patriots and won six Super Bowls together. Brady won three MVP awards with the Patriots and Belichick was named AP Coach of the Year three times while coaching Brady. The two ended their professional relationship after the 2019 NFL season, when Bready left the Patriots and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"I am privileged to have drafted and coached Tom Brady, the ultimate competitor and winner," the statement began. "Tom's humble beginning in professional football ultimately ended with him becoming the best player in NFL history."

"Tom consistently performed at the highest level against competition that always made him the number one player to stop," he continued. "His pursuit of excellence was inspirational."

"Tom was professional on and off the field, and carried himself with class, integrity and kindness," he concluded. "I thank Tom for his relentless pursuit of excellence and positive impact on me and the New England Patriots for 20 years."

Tom responded to the post with two red heart emojis. Belichick was far from the only one to congratulate Tom Brady on his retirement.

Former football quarterback Peyton Manning also congratulated Tom Brady on his retirement. Manning played in the NFL for 18 seasons and spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and 4 with the Denver Broncos.

“Congratulations to my friend Tom on an unbelievable football career,” Peyton began. “To do it as long as he did, at the highest of levels is absolutely incredible.”

“It was an honor & a privilege to compete against him on the field, and I truly appreciate his friendship off the field,” he shared. “I have always admired & respected his competitiveness, his dedication, his discipline, and his commitment to being the best.”

“I wish him the best in his next chapter,” he concluded. “Congratulations again, pal!”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also recently a statement shortly after Tom Brady posted his announcement on Instagram.

“Tom Brady will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL,” the statement began. “An incredible competitor and leader, his stellar career is remarkable for its longevity but also for the sustained excellence he displayed year after year.”

“Tom made everyone around him better and always seemed to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments,” he continued. “His record five Super Bowl MVP awards and seven Super Bowl Championships set a standard that players will chase for years.”

“He inspired fans in New England, Tampa and around the world with one of the greatest careers in NFL history. It has been a privilege to watch him compete and have him in the NFL,” he concluded. “We thank him for his many contributions to our game and wish Tom and his family all the best in the future.”

At the end of his lengthy retirement announcement address, Tom Brady did not say exactly what he plans to do now that his football career has come to an end, but he will continue to be active in the brands that he helped create.

“The future is exciting,” he wrote. “I’m fortunate to have cofounded incredible companies like @autograph.io @bradybrand @tb12sports that I am excited to continue to help build and grow, but exactly what my days will look like will be a work-in-progress.”

“As I said earlier, I am going to take it day by day,” he continued. “I know for sure I want to spend a lot of time giving to others and trying to enrich other people’s lives, just as so many have done for me.”