After sitting out the first four games of the season due to a suspension stemming from the Deflategate scandal, the rest of the 2016 campaign was seen as Tom Brady's revenge tour.
But not only does New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick disagree with that narrative, he said Monday it was "insulting" to suggest his quarterback was more motivated this season than any other year.
"With all due respect, I think it's inappropriate to suggest that in Tom's career he's been anything other than a great teammate, a great worker," Belichick said, according to CBS Boston. "He's given us every single ounce of effort, blood, sweat and tears he has in him. To insinuate that this year was somehow different, that this year he competed harder or competed to a higher degree than he has in the past, is insulting to the tremendous effort and leadership and competitiveness for the 17 years I've coached him.
"It's been like that every year, every day, every week, every practice. I don't care if it's in May, August or January, Tom Brady gives us his best every time he steps on the field."
Belichick finished the press conference in the most Patriots way possible, saying his team was behind in preparations for next season due to their Super Bowl run.
"As great as today is, in all honesty, we're five weeks behind in the 2017 season," said Belichick, according to the MMQB.com's Albert Breer.
