During his 24-year run with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick created a legacy that stands tall across all sports. That’s why it was so shocking to hear the news that the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach mutually agreed to part ways with the Patriots on Thursday.
The reasons were all obviously there.
New England is headed towards a complete rebuild, and it made no sense to go down that road with a 71-year-old coach. The team was coming off back-to-back losing seasons, and this season, they finished with a 4-13 record and last place in the AFC East division.
It was time.
Throughout the day, current and past Patriots players, along with players and coaches across other sports, reacted on social media to the Belichick news.
Belichick is expected to continue coaching elsewhere, but in many ways, it still felt like a retirement with him leaving New England. Here’s what athletes were saying on social media:
Coach Belichick is such a LEGEND!!!! 🫡 man
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 11, 2024
Though brief, I won’t forget the time under your professional tutelage Bill Belichick.
Brought me back in free agency. First to call me when getting out of the hospital both times this year. I consider it an honor.
2024 season I will prove you right.
Thank you legend.
— Calvin Anderson (@THE_CONDA25) January 11, 2024
"My entire life has been Bill Belichick football and that's all I've ever known..
I'm so grateful that I was able to be a Patriot fan in the era of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick"@BostonConnr #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/sqvUxcgpZC
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 11, 2024
Wouldn’t change a thing coach #FoxboroForever pic.twitter.com/pelLmjkLko
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) January 11, 2024
Greatest to ever do it. Thank you Coach. https://t.co/3frmVK3TeD
— Rex Burkhead (@RBrex34) January 11, 2024
You’re the best, coach Belichick! Congrats on an amazing run and thanks for all you did for me. pic.twitter.com/cuUBEaVZYN
— Matt Cassel (@M_Cassel16) January 11, 2024
I always felt one of my jobs as a tv guy is to take the audience behind the curtain to show another side of ppl we talk about. Here’s a personal story I shared about Coach Belichick from early in my career pic.twitter.com/tFXQWCqiZJ
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) January 11, 2024
.@TedyBruschi on what it’s like to play for Bill Belichick ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qMKgQj35hR
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 11, 2024
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) January 11, 2024
Coach BB, Thank you for the opportunity and all the memories! #CHAMPS #GOAT🐐 #PatsNation
Will never forget the back story behind these pics! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Lzn4mHT4Lu
— Aaron Dobson 3 (@aarondobson17) January 11, 2024
Greatest ever. Thank you for everything. Me, my family, my son. Shaping me into a football player and a man. Love you pic.twitter.com/6kuk5xALtd
— Patrick Chung (@PatrickChung23) January 11, 2024
This is even more special for me now.
Coach BB I appreciate you for everything my dude. You been atop the game since I was 2.
This is surreal for me. I'm just grateful I was able to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity under another 🐐.
– 3 ❤️
Thank you 🙏🏾 https://t.co/5uHSXQXsQm
— MWS (@MackWilSr) January 11, 2024
Damn times changing. Glad to have been apart of this tho. Coach Goat https://t.co/8qBWX24u73
— Jamie Collins (@JamieLee601) January 11, 2024
the greatest football mind to ever live 🐐 https://t.co/gtEdlmw8df
— Richard Seymour (@BigSey93) January 11, 2024
Goodness. Changing of the guard all across football in the last 24 https://t.co/9HWoFjuVFJ
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) January 11, 2024
Forever thankful to Coach Belichick for the shot that launched my NFL career and for instilling a winning mindset that made us the best-prepared team every game. His football legacy is unmatched. A heartfelt thanks, Coach, and wishing you success in all that comes next.@nfl… pic.twitter.com/gITbe1sbGn
— Jonas Gray (@JonasLGray) January 11, 2024
In June 2002 right after winning Super Bowl 36, I had a surgery gone bad and almost died. Most head coaches would have taken one look at me and moved on. Not Bill Belichick. He stuck with me personally and professionally. Great coach, great man. Patriots/NFL legend! Thank you BB!
— Charlie Weis (@charlieweissr) January 11, 2024
#Patriots DT Christian Barmore shouts out Bill Belichick:
(IG: barmore_) pic.twitter.com/cVTQanpF8u
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) January 11, 2024
"This Bill Belichick shit got me emotional..
You're looking at Bill leaving New England after 24 years and he's gonna continue to coach"@ninko50 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xf0MIBm8r6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 11, 2024
Mike McDaniel’s thoughts on the end of the Bill Belichick Era in New England pic.twitter.com/uIu6BxsPu1
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) January 11, 2024
Keion White’s message to Bill Belichick is everything pic.twitter.com/YFgxtdrbkL
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) January 11, 2024
Thank you Coach Belichick for everything you have done! From taking a chance drafting me in the very beginning to teaching and showing me the way on the field, I wouldn’t change a thing! Honor to be on your team and thank you for putting us players in situations to have serious… pic.twitter.com/m5NYkW4Kwt
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) January 11, 2024
