Tom Brady may have barely acknowledged the Patriots organization when he announced his retirement Tuesday, but the team’s brass hasn’t shied away from recognizing the greatest QB of all time – including the notoriously stoic Bill Belichick.

Belichick, who coached Brady throughout his entire 20-year tenure with the Patriots, released a statement on Wednesday, praising his former quarterback as the “best player in NFL history.”

“I am privileged to have drafted and coached Tom Brady, the ultimate competitor and winner. Tom’s humble beginning in professional football ultimately ended with him becoming the best player in NFL history,” the statement, released to the Patriots’ Twitter account, read.