Some may think that while athletes can learn a lot from their coaches, those same coaches cannot learn anything from their players.
While there is no doubt New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick helped Tom Brady become the greatest quarterback in NFL history, he recently revealed that he also learned a good deal about the game from the now-retired 45-year-old.
Belichick talked about this on an episode of Brady’s podcast.
Full episode with Coach Belichick and others out now: https://t.co/RAhxnypx8m @SIRIUSXM pic.twitter.com/bftbCOMFvr
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 7, 2023
“Tom talks about how much I taught him and those things, but I learned so much from Tom because I never played quarterback and I never saw the game through the quarterback’s eyes,” said Belichick. “… It was incredible how during the game, he’d come off and I’d say, ‘What happened on that play?’ and he’d go through eight things that happened.”
Belichick and Brady combined to win six Super Bowls in nearly 20 seasons together in New England, as they created one of the greatest dynasties in the history of any major sport.
They also formed one of those mighty player-coach combos that is on par with Bill Walsh and Joe Montana, as well as Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant and Pat Riley and Magic Johnson in the NBA.
Belichick and Brady reportedly had a falling out towards the end of their partnership that apparently caused Brady to leave and join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but as the old saying goes, time heals all wounds.
By having Brady on his side all those years, Belichick gained a reputation as one of the NFL’s best tacticians, although since Brady’s departure, that reputation has taken some hits.
The Patriots have been largely mediocre the last three seasons, peaking at a 10-7 record and a wild-card playoff loss last season, but despite the fact that they have some decent talent, there is a feeling that perhaps Belichick’s supposed coaching genius was more dependent on Brady’s exploits than previously thought.
With Brady now set to become a commentator for Fox Sports’ coverage of the NFL in 2024, perhaps he will reveal some interesting nuggets about Belichick’s coaching acumen not too long from now.
