‘It was handled perfectly’
Brady talks about split from Pats
Tom Brady held a brief meeting with the media Thursday, and naturally, was asked about his exit from New England in wake of a report he was upset Bill Belichick didn’t meet with him in person before his departure in March 2020.
Belichick denied that notion Wednesday. What was Brady’s view?
Was it true that Belichick only agreed to speak with him over the phone, as the book contends?
“All those things are super personal,” said Brady. “We had a great relationship. Everything was handled the right way. We handled everything as gracefully as we could. It was an amazing time. It was handled perfectly. I think everyone understood where we were at, the people involved in the situation.
“Things worked out for the best for all of us, and we’re all trying to do the best we can do now. That’s what happens in life. You go through these experiences, you don’t know where life’s going to lead.”
The report was one of several excerpts from Seth Wickersham’s new book, “It’s Better to Be Feared,” released by ESPN Wednesday. The book also details friction between coach and quarterback during their final years together.
That led Brady to Tampa, where he won a Super Bowl last year, and is about to play his first game in Foxboro as an opponent, and perhaps compete in his last game at Gillette Stadium.
“I think the only thing I know how to do is give it all I can, in every day, moment, and the people who really bet on me, I want to do really well for them,” Brady said. “Jason (Licht) and Bruce (Arians), I thank them coming into my life and saying, ‘We really want you to be here.’ That’s been an amazing thing for me.
“I’m just excited to go up there and beat a really good football team. That’s ultimately what this week is about. It’s not about the quarterback. It’s not about the fans or the home crowd, or relationships for 20 years, it’s about two good football teams going at it. We’ve gotta do a great job. It’s going to be a huge test.”
Brady’s remarks about being wanted further suggested he didn’t feel appreciated in New England, though he spoke highly of Belichick on Thursday.
“He’s a great coach. Obviously a great coach. Has everyone prepared, does a great job of that … taught me a lot. Was a great mentor for me for a long time. And I really enjoyed my time in New England,” he said. “But at the same time, I’m super excited about what we’ve done here. I got a great group of coaches here, an amazing group of guys that still motivate me and inspire me to be the best I can be for this team and this organization.”
Brady added he’s enjoyed all of his football experiences, be it high school, college and the pros. He said his 20 years in New England were “incredible,” and that it would be “fun to compete” against many of his former teammates.
“I have nothing but incredible thoughts, memories, emotions towards all the football experiences that I’ve had,” he said. “That’s obviously one that was the longest, and I still have a lot of great friends there. They know I want to kick their butt this week. They know exactly how I’m feeling when I’m out there.”
During the session, Brady didn’t have much of a voice. He was hoarse and looked a bit under the weather. He joked it was from fielding all the ticket requests from family and friends for the game, the most highly anticipated regular-season matchup in recent memory.