Tom Brady saved Bill Belichick's job. Bill Belichick was 5-11 in his first season as the coach of the New England Patriots. Belichick was 0-2 in his second season when Drew Bledsoe was injured so badly that both his football career and his life was on the line. Belichick knew he was on a short leash—or thin ice—and could be fired at the end of the season.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices