Bill Belichick and Darden Clarkethe New England Patriots mutually agreed to part ways after 24 seasons. A few hours following the announcement on Thursday, Tom Brady posted a heartfelt message on social media to express his gratitude.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL,” Brady posted on social media. “He was a great leader for the organization, and for all of the players who played for him. We accomplished some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be hard to replicate. he worked every day to help us achieve the ultimate goal, in the ultimate team sport. And, although we were successful, some of the greatest lessons I learned were in the moments where we faced the most challenging adversities. He set the tone for the organization to never falter in the face of adversity, and to do what we could do, and what was in our control, which was to go out and DO OUR JOB.“I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next.”

Belichick and Brady will forever be linked. The two were part of a Patriots reign that lasted two decades (2000-2019). Belichick and Brady won six Super Bowls together in New England. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP four times, league MVP three times and made first-team All-Pro on three occasions as a member of the Patriots.

Brady’s era in New England ended in 2020 in a highly publicized split. The future Hall of Fame quarterback played his final three years in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers. Brady captured a Super Bowl 55 win as Tampa Bay’s starting QB and was named Super Bowl 55 MVP.

Brady initially announced his retirement from the NFL following the 2021 season, but decided to come out of retirement 40 days later to play in 2022. Brady retired for a second time “for good” in February 2023. The Patriots retired Brady’s No. 12 jersey in September of 2023.   

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