Bill Belichick Saw Tom Brady in Jimmy Garoppolo
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Bill Belichick saw something special in Jimmy Garoppolo from the beginning. Whispers around Foxborough from the moment Garoppolo was drafted claimed he had the same attitude that Tom Brady had when he was drafted. That drive that everyone was better than him and he was the underdog. Bill Belichick loved that in Brady and he loved it in Jimmy Garoppolo too. The relationship with Kyle Shanahan played also a part as to why Belichick sent Garoppolo to the 49ers. Belichick has a lot of respect for Garoppolo and wanted to give him the best chance to win. Garoppolo wasn’t going to get that opportunity in Cleveland.
Bill Belichick Congratulated Garoppolo After Every Win
After every game in December Bill Belichick texted Jimmy Garoppolo congratulating him on his wins according to Sports Illustrated. Now people will spin that and say was he texting Brady after every win he got? That answer is no. For Belichick to text Garoppolo after every win is clear. Belichick really wanted to keep Garoppolo and knows he’ll be something special in years to come.
Garoppolo Was in the Shadow of the Patriot Way
Jimmy Garoppolo looked up to Brady and was excited to be in his shadow. He wanted to really be just like him but in his own way. Garoppolo told the Bleacher Report that he was really trying to get the starting job. That was his goal but Brady was standing in the way of that. Jimmy Garoppolo’s mother said, “Bill really, really liked Jimmy. Not like they were warm and fuzzy—but they both knew it was there.”
I wonder how many former players receive a text from Bill Belichick after a win? The answer I’m sure is not many. Jimmy Garoppolo is his own person who idolized Tom Brady and the Patriot way. He has taken that with him to San Francisco in hopes to bring a Super Bowl to Tom Brady’s childhood favorite team.