“I’ll always be a Patriot”- Bill Belichick bids adieu to New England by delivering an emotional speech

Patriots owner Robert Kraft thanked Bill Belichick for his 24-years of service and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to him.

“I’ll always be a Patriot”- Bill Belichick bids adieu to New England by delivering an emotional speech

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft share a handshake after the HC's emotional speech. (via CBS Sports)

Today marks the end of one of the greatest chapters of football in the history of the New England Patriots. Head Coach Bill Belichick is parting ways with the team after being at the helm for over two decades. During this period, he has led the team to 9 Super Bowl appearances and six wins, he walks away from the Patriots with 333 career wins as an HC, just 15 shy of Don Shula’s all-time record of 347 wins.

The New England Patriots called a press conference in order to formally announce the mutual parting of ways between the team and coach Belichick. He took to the podium and displayed the most emotion he has in a long time. He opened with a joke when he walked into the room and saw it filled with cameras:

Good morning. I haven't seen this many cameras since we signed (Tim) Tebow.
Bill Belichick at the presser
YouTube video

Bill Belichick may have seemed emotionless throughout his coaching career but today, he could not hold back his emotions. At the outset of his announcement, his voice shook a bit as he said the following:

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It's with so many fond memories and thoughts that I think about the Patriots. I'll always be a Patriot. I look forward to coming back here, but at this time we're going to move on. I'll look forward, and I'm excited for the future.
Bill Belichick added

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft were both visibly emotional at the Patriots’ press conference

He then thanked owner Robert Kraft for having faith in him and sticking by his side for this long. Belichick’s speech did indicate something, that he is not done coaching in the NFL yet. The last part where he speaks about his future hints that he is looking to move on to the next chapter of his life and start afresh with a new team.

Robert Kraft Bill Belichick Patriots
Robert Kraft shaking hands with Bill Belichick (Via Imago)

Could it be the Los Angeles Chargers? The Las Vegas Raiders? That question will be answered in due time. After Belichick left the podium, Robert Kraft took this moment to express his gratitude for the man who established the Patriots dynasty. Here’s what Mr. Kraft had to say:

At heart, I will always be a sentimental sports fan. So, this is an emotional day for me. Some of the my happiest and most memorable moments were celebrated with my family during Bill's tenure here. I recognize that it is an emotional day for many, as it represents an end of an era, one that will always be celebrated in this region.
Robert Kraft at the presser

The New England Patriots could not have handled Belichick’s departure in a better manner. He deserved a press conference wherein he said his peace and the split has been termed as being mutual. Despite the team’s recent struggles in the last four seasons, one thing is undisputed, Bill Belichick will indeed go down as the greatest coach of all time and he will forever be revered as an icon in Boston.

He picked and groomed a young Tom Brady, he has groomed multiple assistant coaches who have gone on to become successful head coaches in the NFL, established a winning culture in Boston, and built a dynasty from scratch. This one stat alone speaks volumes about Belichick’s greatness, in the 24 years that he has been the HC of the team, the rest of the teams across the league have gone through a total of 213 head coaches. The next chapter of his career will be exciting to watch.

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