BRADY AND BELICHICK ABSENT FROM PATRIOTS 2001 TEAM REUNION

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick did not take part in the New England Patriots' celebration of their 2001 Super Bowl-winning team, held on Sunday 11 October to mark the 25th anniversary of the title. Former players returned to Gillette Stadium for a pregame event before New England played the Las Vegas Raiders, with the occasion also recognising kicker Adam Vinatieri. Brady, who was the Patriots' quarterback during that championship season, was not listed among the expected attendees before the event and did not appear. Belichick, who was head coach of the 2001 team, was also absent and did not send a recorded message. Boston sports radio hosts Michael Felger, Tony Massarotti and Jim Murray discussed the absences on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with Murray saying either man could have recorded a brief video message for the occasion.

The radio hosts said a short video would have taken little effort and argued there was no reason for either man to skip even a minimal gesture. Their comments followed Belichick's attendance, on 3 October, at a New Jersey dinner marking the 40th anniversary of the New York Giants' first Super Bowl win in 1986. Belichick arrived at that dinner after North Carolina, where he serves as head coach, lost to Notre Dame. The 2001 Patriots team is regarded as the start of a period of sustained success for the franchise under Brady and Belichick.

Felger said he found the lack of even a brief greeting from either man difficult to understand, given the short notice required. The Patriots organisation has not issued a public statement responding to the criticism from the radio hosts. Neither Brady nor Belichick has publicly commented on their absence from the celebration or on the contrast drawn with Belichick's appearance at the Giants event. No further events marking the anniversary have been announced.