Belichick in 7th Super Bowl

But before Bill Belichick and Tom Brady could get started, Brady was going to need some directions.

Belichick was hired as the New England Patriots head coach on January 27, 2000.

Shortly after, on April 16 which happens to be Belichick’s birthday the Patriots selected Brady 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft.

“But it was a magical day in my life, and I know for Patriot fans having Coach Belichick come to this team was the best thing for this franchise.” Sunday will be Belichick and Brady’s seventh appearance together in the Super Bowl, a record for both a head coach and player.

Should they win their fifth Super Bowl together, Belichick and Brady will surpass another legendary head coach-quarterback duo: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll and quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who have four.

Brady turns 40 later this year and is the longest tenured Patriots player, tied for the most by an NFL quarterback with John Brodie (San Francisco) and Dan Marino (Miami).

The Patriots have 16 straight winning seasons (though Brady missed the 2008 season with a knee injury) to tie the San Francisco 49ers (1983-1998) and the Dallas Cowboys (1970-1985) for the most consecutive wining seasons since the merger.

“Coach, he commits his life to coaching football and to coaching this team,” Brady said.

“I know Coach loves to coach, and I love to play, and I love playing for him.”