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Tom Brady and Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick had nothing but praise for his former quarterbackTom Brady.

The New England Patriots coach, 69, spoke with reporters on Wednesday ahead of their game against Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, which will be Brady’s first game back at Gillette Stadium since leaving the Patriots in March 2020.

“Nothing Tom does surprises me. He’s a great player, works hard, takes care of himself. He’s talked about playing until 50. If anybody can do it, he probably can,” Belichick said.

At age 44, Brady is currently the oldest player who is still active in the NFL. Earlier this month, the athlete told Bucs teammate and former Patriots star, Rob Gronkowski, that he could see himselfplaying until age 50.

“CanTom Bradyplay ‘til 50? Like, 50 years old? … I don’t find it so difficult,” he said. “Plus, in Florida, it’s kind of a retiree state, so I feel like I can play and then just glide into retirement. I think I can. I think it’s a yes.”

Also on Wednesday, Belichick spoke about Brady’s “unbelievably impressive” career so far.

“Tom’s had an unbelievable career. There’s not enough superlatives and adjectives to compliment him on everything that he’s achieved and continues to achieve,” said Belichick, who won six NFL championship titles with Brady.

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AFC Championship Football, Foxborough, USA - 21 Jan 2018

Brady won his seventh Super Bowl ring last season in his first year with the Bucs.

On Sunday, Brady and Belichick will meet on opposing sides for the first time since the Patriots drafted the quarterback in 2000.

As for the status of their current relationship, Belichick said: “Yeah, I think it’s good. It’s always been good.”

Much has been reported on what led to Brady opting to leave New England as well as Brady and Belichick’s dynamic after they parted ways.

source: people.com