“I Didn’t Wanna Get Too Emotional”: Patriots Legend Recalls Holding Back Tears While Bidding Bill Belichick Adieu

A good coach is always remembered by his players! Bill Belichick is among those coaches who have, in his 24 years of New England Patriots career, earned a massive fan following. However, as the 2023 season ended with a devastating 4-13 score for the Foxborough team, people witnessed an unwanted broken marriage between the two.

However the coach will still remain in the hearts of many, and the NFL former players keep on remembering him and the time they spent with Belichick during his coaching career. A couple of days back it was Rob Gronkowski, now it’s another key member of the Patriots’ dynasty, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater.

Recalling Bill Belichick’s emotional farewell!

In a recent episode of the Games With Names podcast, former Patriots players Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater joined in the show to discuss legendary performances in the Pats’ Super Bowl era, as well as Bill Belichick. Slater recently hung up his cleats in February after spending 16 seasons with the team. However, before his retirement, Belichick left the Patriots in January. Slater discussed how he felt bidding farewell to him on his last day with the team.

He expressed, “His focus was just on going out there and beating the Jets so I didn’t want to get too emotional or sentimental but I appreciate coach and I had a great relationship and I appreciate everything he’s done for me.” Slater also mentioned that there were some points of time when Belichick wasn’t liked by the team as he made them do the things which the players don’t like.

However, he continued highlighting that still the players, including him, always loved and respected the big coach. And why shouldn’t they, Belichick is known to bring out the best from every player, just like he did with Tom Brady or Rob Gronkowski. And Gronk is forever grateful for that too, as he felt very bad about the firing of Belichick.

Rob Gronkowski cried for Belichick?

The story of the Patriots dynasty involved Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Bill Belichick, besides the complete roster. Gronkowski recently emphasized Belichick’s importance during an interview with MassLive. He expressed how strange he felt without Belichick in Boston and acknowledged that his head coach was instrumental in creating a winning culture in New England.

Gronk expressed, “It’s very odd, actually. It’s a different culture now, a different style… He set the standard.” He further credited Belichick for setting the standard and felt sad to see him leave, even admitting to shedding a tear over it. As per recent reports, Bill Belichick presently might be sitting out the year and await an opportunity in 2025.

Read more: Robert Kraft Displeased with ‘The Dynasty’ Depiction of Bill Belichick, Pledges for Tom Brady-Like Treatment