Shannon Sharpe issues public apology to Tom Brady for not giving him enough credit over the years after seeing Bill Belichick’s downfall post the 7-time SB champion’s exit from the Patriots

Sharpe applauded Bill Belichick for his contribution to Patriots success but the retired tight end highlighted without Tom Brady, most of it would not have been possible.

Shannon Sharpe issues public apology to Tom Brady for not giving him enough credit over the years after seeing Bill Belichick’s downfall post the 7-time SB champion’s exit from the Patriots

Shannon Sharpe weighs in one Brady Belichick debate (Image via ESPN)

Shannon Sharpe felt like he had to apologize to Tom Brady for not giving him enough credit for his silverware-laden career with the New England Patriots. In Monday’s segment of ESPN’s First Take, he brought up the subject against the backdrop of Bill Belichick‘s continuous slump at Foxboroug.

The Patriots’ start to the 2023 season is the worst since Belichick took over at the turn of the century. They currently sit at the bottom of the AFC East with just one win in five games. Witnessing such a downfall of once-dubbed untouchables has thrown the credentials of the veteran coach into question. That too, after Tom Brady‘s retirement. So when Shannon was asked about whether Belichick is ‘just another coach’ without the five-time Super Bowl MVP, the Hall of Famer denied that.

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“No, I don’t think he’s just another coach,” Sharpe replied. “I think the success he’s had with his team over the last two decades is something to be applauded.” The Brady-Belichick duo dominated the NFL for the better part of two decades. A postseason without the Boston-based franchise would be seldom heard of. They brought six Super Bowls home to Gillette Stadium. But the debate comes down to only one question. Whose contribution matters the most in the New England Patriots dynasty? Judging by Shannon Sharpe’s answer, the retired NFL tight end seemed to have figured it out.

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“I owe Brady an apology because I don’t think I gave him enough credit,” Sharpe added. “What Brady allowed coach Belichick to do, Brady is the largest eraser in pro sports.”

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Why did Shannon Sharpe call Tom Brady an eraser?

According to Sharpe, his reason for calling Brady ‘eraser’ is simple. The 15-time Pro Bowler could erase every mistake that Belichick made. The former FOX contributor provided some examples to put more weight on his argument.

Shannon Sharpe issues a public apology to Tom Brady for not giving him enough credit over the years after seeing Bill Belichick’s downfall post the 7-time SB champion’s exit from the Patriots
Tom Brady celebrates 7th Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Image via iMAGO)

“Every mistake that coach Belichick made during those two decades, Brady could erase,” he continued. Even when the franchise drafted or traded for a less-than-impressive player, Tom Brady had the capability to unlock their full potential.

Not only that, the 46-year-old parted ways from his beloved Patriots to show that he could do it somewhere else. Moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came as a surprise to most. But he proved his point by winning his seventh Super Bowl ring in 2021.

Shannon Sharped did praise Bill Belichick for outsmarting the likes of St. Louis Rams ‘Greatest Show on Turf. ‘ But he reminded everyone that no matter how great a defensive or offensive mind is if he “doesn’t have a guy that’s 6’4 and 200-plus pounds with an arm,” then it’s hard to achieve anything in football.

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