Tom Brady's heartfelt tribute to Bill Belichick leaves internet in tears

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady shared an emotional tribute to his longtime former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick following the news the team has split ways with him.

"I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL," Brady wrote in an Instagram post according to Fox Sports.

"He was a great leader for the organisation, and for all of the players who played for him. We accomplished some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be hard to replicate. he worked every day to help us achieve the ultimate goal, in the ultimate team sport. And, although we were successful, some of the greatest lessons, I learned, were in the moments where we faced the most challenging adversities. He set the tone for the organisation, to never falter in the face of adversity, and to do what we could do, and what was in our control, which was to go out and DO OUR JOB."

"I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next."

With 301 victories, Belichick is ranked third in NFL history. From 1991 to 1995, he won 36 games as the Cleveland Browns' head coach. 

However, since Brady's departure, the Patriots have struggled and have only made one postseason trip.

During Brady's 20-year tenure, New England has won the AFC East in all but two of those seasons, including the 2008 campaign when he sustained a season-ending injury in Week 1.

Belichick joins a select group of seven NFL head coaches—George Halas (40) of the Chicago Bears, Curly Lambeau (29), Tom Landry (29), Don Shula (26), Steven Owen (24), of the New York Giants, and Chuck Noll (36), of the Pittsburgh Steelers—who have all been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for spending more than 20 years with a single team.