The New England Patriots and Bill Belichick have agreed to part ways after an impressive 24 seasons in the NFL. The split marks the end of an era.
This decision was officially sealed on Thursday as the former head coach Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft shared statements with the media.
Kraft, visibly emotional, expressed gratitude towards Belichick, stating, “I think it’s safe to say we exceeded them thanks to you.”
Kraft acknowledged the sentimental aspect of the day for both himself and the fan base. He highlighted that some of his happiest moments were experienced during Belichick’s tenure.
Despite the difficulty in parting ways, Kraft mentioned that this decision was mutually agreed upon and deemed necessary at this time.
Recognizing Belichick as the greatest coach of all time, Kraft praised his leadership skills that contributed to the Patriots’ unprecedented success.
While expressing confidence that what Belichick achieved with the team will never be replicated, Kraft conveyed his best wishes for Belichick’s future endeavors – with a playful exception-when he’s coaching against the Patriots.
Kraft humorously noted, “It’ll be difficult to see him in a cutoff hoodie on (another) sideline. He’s got a cold, so I’m not going to kiss him.”
Robert Kraft hugs Bill Belichick: "He's got a cold so I'm not going to kiss him."
Belichick: "Thank you."
And that's the end….pic.twitter.com/nnG7znKq4j
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 11, 2024
Reflecting on the history between Kraft and Belichick, it all started on January 27, 2000, when Kraft traded a first-round draft pick to the Jets for the right to hire Bill Belichick as the head coach of the Patriots.
Throughout 24 seasons, Belichick guided the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles, nine Super Bowl appearances, 266 regular-season wins, and an additional 30 playoff victories, during the franchise’s dynasty from 2001 to 2019.
Belichick’s remarkable Patriots career boasts 266 regular-season victories and an impressive 30 playoff victories.
Under his leadership, the Patriots maintained winning records in all but four years.
Well, unlike Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick began with a light-hearted touch.
Upon entering, he quipped, “Haven’t seen this many cameras since we signed (Tim) Tebow.”
“I haven’t seen this many cameras since we signed Tebow” – Bill Belichick
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 11, 2024
The usually reserved coach then expressed his gratitude, acknowledging everyone from the Kraft family to the staff within the organization.
Asserting his enduring connection to the Patriots, Belichick stated, “I’ll always be a Patriot.”
Despite the departure, Belichick framed the moment as one of gratitude and celebration and talked about how the level of success achieved had surpassed even his wildest dreams and expectations.
Expressing deep appreciation, Belichick remarked, “I’ll always have those great memories. I’ll carry those with me the rest of my life.”
Next, he extended thanks to his assistants, recognizing their collective effort as instrumental to the team’s success.
Summing up the collaborative spirit, Belichick concluded, “It was a great team effort, and everyone put everything they had into it, and that’s why it was successful.”
Bill Belichick boasts a stellar 302-165 record as an NFL head coach, translating to an impressive .647 win percentage. His success extends to the postseason, with a 31-13 record, achieving a .705 win percentage.
Presently, there are speculations connecting Bill Belichick to the vacant head coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons.
