Rob Gronkowski says Bill Belichick is the reason for the New England Patriots' massive success this century.
The Pats won six Super Bowls with Belichick as head coach, an NFL record. Gronkowski was part of the team for three of those championships, and this week he looked back at his time working under Belichick.
Speaking on the "Eye on Foxborough" podcast, Gronkowski praised the 71-year-old, who parted ways with the Patriots in January after a tumultuous season.
“It was very sad to see coach Belichick go, because there wouldn’t have been a dynasty, there wouldn’t have been 20-plus years of a winning culture in New England without coach Belichick,” Gronkowski said.
“He set the standard. Coach Belichick was the standard. Without him, none of this was possible. There’s no doubt about that. To see him go was sad. I mean, I had a tear. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am today."
A big personality himself, Gronkowski said he "needed" the experience of playing in New England, but he credited Belichick for providing the foundation upon which he was able to win his first three championships.
“I kind of needed that structure as well in my life," he said of Belichick's coaching style. "I wouldn’t be where I am right now to this day without coach Belichick being tough on myself and helping me get to the next level at practice or in a game. So I would never, ever, ever change a thing.”
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