Bill Belichick's verdict on Tom Brady getting a statue at Gillette Stadium

Tom Brady worked with legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick for 19 years with the pair winning six Super Bowl championships together

Bill Belichick thinks Tom Brady deserves to have a statue in New England.

Together the pair achieved plenty of success at the New England Patriots, winning six Super Bowl championships. Brady added title another during his spell with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the quarterback's stint at the Patriots with Belichick propelled him to the position of NFL’s greatest player in the eyes of many.

During a chat with the Boston Herald, the 71-year-old was asked if he believes Brady should have a statue made in his honour. “Give him whatever you want,” Belichick chuckled. “Yeah.” The Patriots are set to hold a ceremony honouring Brady and his accomplishments with the franchise before their opening game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on September 11.

When asked about the ceremony, Belichick provided a glowing assessment of his former player. “I’ve spoken to Tom a couple of times. Always look forward to talking to Tom and what a great experience and opportunity it was for me to coach Tom,” he added.

“Tremendous appreciation for everything he did for me, did for our team, everything he gave us. Look forward to seeing him. Sounds like he’s moving on to a very successful career in broadcasting and whatever else he decides to do. He’s a pretty talented guy, I’m sure he’ll do well in whatever he chooses to do, whatever area that is. So, look forward to seeing him and I’m sure there will be a lot of excitement at the game, in the stands as there should be.

“He’s done an awful lot for this organization, for this franchise, for this city, the National Football League. One night’s really not enough, anywhere close to being enough for the appreciation for what Tom deserves.”

During the conversation, Belichick mentioned Lawrence Taylor and Matt Slater as two other players he has enjoyed coaching. He was the linebackers & special teams coach on the New York Giants when he worked with Taylor and together they won the Super Bowl in 1987 and 1991. Wide receiver Slater has been on the Patriots since he entered the league in 2008 and has been coached by Belichick for his entire career, and won three Super Bowl titles.

“I feel very fortunate to have coached Tom, Lawrence Taylor, Matt Slater,” Belichick said. “That’s the three top players at their position: offense, defense, special teams that I think [have played] in the history of the game, and that’s pretty — I feel pretty lucky as a coach. Great players make great coaches, and I’ve been very fortunate. There’s been a lot of great players along the way. I’m not taking anything away from anybody else. But those three are special.”

Brady played 20 of his 23 seasons in New England and is planning a reunion. "Obviously, I want to go back there and see the fans,” Brady said in a June interview with ESPN. “I want to see my teammates. I went back there one time; it was in an opposing uniform, which was a different type of welcoming, although people were very polite, and I had a great experience.

"But I’ll be able to go back there in a different frame of mind and a less competitive frame of mind. And I’m always pulling for the Patriots. It’s been a great organization. I’ve got so many friends there still. My kids were born in Boston. I have so many incredible memories of my time there, and it’s a great gesture by the organisation.”

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