During Bill Belichick’s final press conference for the New England Patriots, he talked about the fact he and owner Robert Kraft were parting ways, seeming measured and stoic as he spoke to reporters.
He didn’t answer any questions as he and Kraft delivered the news. However, Belichick’s voice notably broke as he talked about the fans in the region and how much it all meant to him before he walked out of the door for the last time.
For anyone who saw that media session and listened to him, it was significant for a man who is normally pretty reserved and doesn’t exactly hold his heart on his sleeve.
However, the enormity of what was transpiring certainly wasn’t lost on him, and the thought of no longer being on the sideline in front of the Foxborough faithful seemed to be hitting him in those moments where he talked about fans here in New England.
On Sunday, that love and appreciation for everyone who cheered him on during his more than two decades as head coach was evident as he sent one final heart-felt good-bye to all of the people who supported him.
The now-former head coach took out a full-page ad in the Boston Globe, thanking fans for giving him moments he wrote are forever “burned in my memory.”
“Nowhere in America are pro sports fans as passionate as in New England and for 24-years, I was blessed to feel your passion and power,” wrote Belichick. “The Patriots are the only NFL team representing SIX states but in reality, Patriots Nation knows no borders.”
“You were undaunted by weather, attended scorching hot training camp practices and braved Foxborough’s coldest, wettest, snowiest, and windiest days.”
“Your thoughtful letters offered support, critique, and creative play suggestions. You watched on TV, the internet, and from your stadium seats.”
“You traveled from coast to coast and internationally. Numerous times, you overtook opposing stadiums and were the last fans standing. We loved it! You gave your precious time, resources, and energy to our team. We appreciated it!”
“Six times, you packed Boston by the millions for parades that were truly a two-way expression of gratitude and love. The images from those days are burned in my memory.”
“You may even have enjoyed my fashion sense and press conferences, or maybe you just tolerated them.”
“I loved coaching here and, together, we experienced some amazing moments.”
“THANK YOU ALL.”
“With respect and admiration, Bill Belichick.”
From page A3 of today’s @BostonGlobe. pic.twitter.com/W5DlqF5J8M
— Christopher Price (@cpriceglobe) February 4, 2024
Best of luck on whatever the future may hold for Belichick, who certainly gave all of us two incredible decades and an unbelievable run that will definitely live on forever.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
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