One of the biggest storylines prior to Super Bowl LV was Tom Brady vs. Bill Belichick.
Speaking to Jim Gray on Westwood One Radio prior to the game, the Tampa Bay quarterback wanted no part in the debate.
“I’ve never once in my life thought about that,”
Brady said. “That’s a very hypothetical situation for me to — I think that’s definitely a conversation that people like to have because in the end, it just can create some entertainment.
“Coaches don’t play, and players don’t coach. You need great coaches, and you need great players, and that’s the way the sport works. It’s not an individual sport. It’s a team sport.”
Of course, Brady led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first year with the organization, while Belichick and the Patriots had their worst record since 2000 in their first year without Brady under center.
“The only thing that (debate) does is it tries to create division either inside your team that the outside wants to tear apart what you’ve accomplished,” he said. “I don’t think that’s an argument that I’ve ever wanted to be a part of, thought to be a part of. I’ve greatly appreciated what I’ve learned from the coaching mentors that I’ve had — certainly Coach Belichick.
“I couldn’t be who I am without those amazing coaches that I’ve had, and I couldn’t be the player I am without all the other playing mentors I’ve had. In the end, to me, it’s all irrelevant. The greatest joy I have in sports is living up to my potential for my team and being the best that I can for my team, and that’s what motivates me. That’s 100 percent of my motivation.”