FOXBOROUGH (Mass.) Coach Bill Belichick brought humor to the news conference Wednesday morning as he prepared his New England Patriots team for the match against quarterback Tom Brady and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers counterparts.
"What's the deal? Have any stories to share this week? He smiled big and asked when he arrived.
Belichick then gave Brady, 44 years old, praise after he won six Super Bowls with him.
Belichick stated, "Nothing Tom does surprises us." He is a great player who works hard and takes care of himself. He has talked about his dream of playing to the age of 50. He'd do it if he could.
"Tom has had an amazing career. It's impossible to praise him enough for all he has accomplished and continues to accomplish. It's incredible."
Belichick was asked about his relationship to Brady and whether he has had contact with Brady since he left as a free agent in March 2020. It's been great."
Belichick was also asked about details in "It's Better To Be Feared," which is a book by ESPN senior writer Seth Wickersham and due to be published October 12.
According to the book, Brady wanted to say goodbye to Belichick in person but the coach insisted that they talk over the phone.
When Belichick was asked Wednesday if this was true, he replied "No, that's false." There are some things in this book that I don't like. It sounds like there are many second-, third and fourth-hand comments. That is something I won't get into. I will be focusing on this game and preparing for the Bucs.
While Belichick opened the news conference with humor, he ended it with a seemingly amused response when asked if Brady was a difficult quarterback to defend and what made him so difficult to face.
"Yes, he's tougher than any quarterback ever was or is." Enough said. Belichick stated that his numbers were "incredible".
He's close to breaking the all-time pass record. He has done more than any other player in that position, regardless of whether you're looking at yards, completions or championships. It doesn't get harder than this.
