Tom Brady and Bill Belichick say they have nothing but love for each other.
Following the Patriots’ 37-31 overtime victory over the Chiefs in Sunday’s AFC Championship, cameras documented the 41-year-old quarterback embracing offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, as well as Belichick, who told Brady he loved him — and vice versa.
“We’ve always got along great,” Brady said Monday on “Mut & Callahan,” via WEEI.com. “We’ve worked together for 19 years. We’ve had the same goals in mind for 19 years and he’s been just a great, great mentor in my life. A great coach. He’s taught me more than anyone ever could about the game of football and I have just always loved playing here and playing for him. He’s the greatest coach of all time, and we’ve had some incredible moments together.”
Brady and Belichick, 66, fell short of winning their sixth Lombardi Trophy together this time last year, which was a bumpier road than this one. Last year’s Patriots endured a firestorm of turmoil, particularly within the organization’s brain trust of player, coach and team owner Robert Kraft, according to a bombshell ESPN report. Amid the reported wrestling in the power struggle, Brady attempted to put rumors of bad blood to bed.
“[Mr. Kraft] is a great person, man. He has been like a second father to me in so many ways. I have a great relationship with Coach Belichick. We’ve worked together for 18 years. There’s no coach I’d rather play for, and I’ve loved my experience here,” the quarterback said last January. “I certainly couldn’t be the player I am today without playing for such a great coach.”