I owe thanks to all the players representing the Patriots during my time in New England, starting with the hardest-working and most dedicated athlete I have ever watched work, Tom Brady. Brady is a megastar with a humble manner, and I appreciate his friendship, as well as that of Julian Edelman, who was always asking how he could become a better receiver. Each member of those teams during my two-plus-year-stay in New England are worthy of my sincere and humble thank-you. A fantastic group of men.
For their encouragement and support throughout the dangerous process of writing, I’d like to thank Gary Belsky and Neil Fine; they were terrific. Jim Nantz has been a cherished friend, adviser, and supporter, for which I am eternally grateful. I often say, as nice as Nantz appears on television, he is even nicer in person, if that is even possible. Thanks also to Shane Parrish, Tom Crean, Bob Boland, Ken Scigulinsky, Jay Kelleher, Will Hill, Jimmy Sexton, Greg Schiano, Earl Myers, Mike Gottfried, Sean Sweeney, Fran Frascella, Eric Musselman, Gil Brandt, Rick Gosselin, Dr. Anthony, Dr. Steven, Ryan Holiday, and Peter Abate for their friendship and wisdom. My editor, Mary Reynics, has been a great resource and helping hand, but she wouldn’t have had anything to do if my agent, David Larabell, hadn’t first made this book happen. I owe much to Bill Simmons for his guidance, and to my podcast partner, Tate Frazier, video producer Joel Solomon, and all the others at The Ringer. I genuinely appreciate their support. And this section would not be complete without my many thanks and love to Bella and Lana, who were with me each step of the writing process—albeit with a few cookies and walking breaks.
I reserve final thanks to Peter Kaufman, whose magnanimous generosity, kind spirit, and enthusiasm for knowledge allowed me to write this book. Peter, who spends his life helping others, has helped me more than I can express.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MICHAEL LOMBARDI, awarded three Super Bowl rings in an NFL career spanning more than thirty years, was most recently a member of Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots coaching staff after serving in several different executive positions for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Cleveland Browns (where he was the general manager for two years). He writes for The Athletic and hosts Betting Across America on VSiN and his podcast, The GM Shuffle, with Adnan Virk for Cadence13.
Twitter: @mlombardiNFL
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Gridiron Genius Page 28