Bill Belichick said farewell to New England Patriots fans with a full-page ad on page A3 in The Boston Globe on Sunday.
The longtime Patriots coach, who mutually parted ways with the team last month, thanked fans for their passion and loyalty.
In a letter addressed “To Patriots Fans Everywhere,” Belichick wrote, “Nowhere in America are pro sports fans as passionate as in New England and for 24 years, I was blessed to feel your passion and power.”
The 71-year-old coach, who surprisingly did not land another head coaching job after missing out on the Atlanta Falcons opening following a pair of interviews — they hired Raheem Morris — and not getting much interest elsewhere, helped lead the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles in his 24 years at the helm.
Belichick praised fans for their dedication, saying they were “undaunted by weather, attended scorching hot training camp practices and braved Foxborough’s coldest, wettest, snowiest, and windiest days.”
He also showed that while he lost out on the offseason head coaching carousel, he hasn’t lost his sense of humor, as Belichick noted fans’ “thoughtful letters of support, critique and creative play suggestions” and added, “You may even have enjoyed my fashion sense and press conferences, or maybe you just tolerated them.”
Patriots fans, Belichick continued, also traveled well.
“You traveled from coast to coast and internationally,’’ he wrote. “Numerous times, you overtook opposing stadiums and were the last fans standing. We loved it! You gave your precious time, resources, and energy to our team. We appreciated it!”
He also referenced the six Super Bowl parades that are “burned in my memory.”
Belichick ended the letter by writing in all capital letters “THANK YOU ALL” and finished “with respect and admiration” and his signature.
