FOXBOROUGH – The stage was set inside Gillette Stadium.
A brown wooden podium with three Patriots logos sat on top of a black stage. A royal blue background embedded with Patriots logos and various sponsored logos was the backdrop for the biggest Patriots news in decades.
On Thursday, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft announced that they “mutually” and “amicably” agreed to part ways. The news stunned the NFL world even if the announcement wasn’t exactly a surprise given the Patriots recent 4-13 season. What unfolded on this day was a unique press conference that’s been unlike any we’ve seen in New England in well over 24 years.
At 11:58 a.m., Belichick and Kraft emerged from a door on the left of a stage inside the Patriots auditorium. This is a place where Belichick has conducted countless hours of team meetings. On Thursday, it was the room where he announced he’d no longer be the head coach and general manager of a franchise he made his own.
After the door opened, it took Belichick 11 seconds to get to the podium. He patiently waited for Kraft, who held out his hand, indicating for the coach to speak first. The speech lasted for about five minutes and Belichick said 761 words.
After 24 years, and six Super Bowl championships, Belichick started this press conference off with a joke.
“Morning. I haven’t seen this many cameras since we signed Tebow,” Belichick said. “Robert and I after a series of discussions have mutually agreed to part ways.”
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As he spoke, the auditorium was filled with media and Patriots employees current and former. The audience included members of the Patriots front office, Steve Cargile (Director of Pro Scouting) and Pat Stewart (senior personnel advisor), former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and longtime team video archivist, Jimmy Dee, among others.
Belichick went on to explain that Thursday was “a day of gratitude.” He praised Kraft for his ownership and support. He basked in the results of the six Super Bowl championships won. After thanking Kraft, Belichick praised the countless assistant coaches he worked with. They, he said, made his job easier. Belichick ran down the list, ” from equipment to training, security, video, operations” and even praised the dining hall inside Gillette Stadium.
Before you knew it, Belichick went on to praise his former player. He detailed why he respected his players and it wasn’t just about their performances on Sunday, but the way they worked to get to that point.
“Players win games in the NFL,” Belichick said. “And I’ve been very, very fortunate to coach some of the greatest players that have ever played.”
Three minutes into his speech, Belichick even gave praise to the media. Right after that, around four minutes in, he started to get emotional.
Around 12:02 p.m., the longtime coach spoke about Patriots fans. As he went on, his voice started to crack.
“It’s amazing how far the arm reaches,” Belichick said. “We saw that this year in Germany. So, so appreciative of the fans for all the support they’ve given me, my family, and this football team.”
Before he was done, Belichick stated a few hard truths, “I’ll always be a Patriot. I look forward to coming back here, but at this time we’re going to move on.”
After he was done speaking, Belichick smiled and hugged Kraft. Around 12:04 p.m., the Patriots owner discussed what transpired and why the organization was heading in a new direction. Kraft spoke for just under five minutes and spoke 452 words.
“As Bill mentioned, yesterday we met and mutually agreed to part ways amicably,” Kraft said.
Like Belichick, Kraft talked about the team’s past historic results. He dove into how he was a season ticket holder in the 70′s and it was always amazing that he got to own his hometown team. The owner noted he regretted not hiring Belichick when he was an assistant coach with the Patriots in 1996. Instead, Kraft hired Pete Carroll in 1997. He ultimately hired Belichick in 2000 after firing Carroll.
The Patriots owner went on to say he understood the feelings of Patriots fans. Thursday was the end of a historic era in Foxborough. Friday marks a new chapter where Kraft will search for the heir apparent to the greatest head coach in NFL history.
“We had high expectations for what we could achieve together,” Kraft said. “I think we were the only ones who had those expectations. And I think it’s safe to say we exceeded them.”
At this point, Belichick chimed in and said, “We did.”
Kraft responded, “Thanks to you.”
When he was done, Kraft looked to his left, shook Belichick’s hand, and hugged his former head coach.
At 12:08 p.m., the pair walked off the podium and exited the same door they entered. Dressed in a light blue blazer with khaki pants, Belichick grabbed a silver water bottle before exiting the auditorium.
Kraft followed behind. As the dark brown door swung closed, it marked the end of an era and a day unlike no other in New England.
