On March 17th, 2020, six-time Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady, announced that after 20 years with the New England Patriots, he would be leaving to pursue other career opportunities within the NFL.

In a recent statement, Brady thanked his coaches and team members, claiming the relationships he has cultivated over the last two decades have helped him reach his full potential, ultimately shaping him as a professional football player.

Given this extreme level of dedication and engagement, it is easy — albeit unfortunate — to grasp why Peter Schieffelin Nyberg, together with his fellow avid fans of the New England Patriots, are in a state of shock and mourning now that rumors of a divorce between quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick are no longer a matter of speculation.

“Even casual football fans have known that the relationship between Brady and Belichick has been rocky for several years, even during seasons in which the Patriots won it all,” commented Peter Schieffelin Nyberg, who is CFO at Camino Community Center, which works to positively impact the lives of thousands of low-income and underserved individuals. “However, even though many of us knew that a split was possible, it was still shocking to see it happen. Even now, it is tough to imagine Brady wearing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey, or for the Patriots to go into a season without number twelve at the helm.”

The tragic truth is that there is no CTRL-X hotkey to undo the high-profile sports divorce. Even if Brady flames out in Tampa Bay — which nobody is expecting, but could nevertheless still happen — a reunion in Foxborough is not only unlikely: it is a virtual impossibility.

However, sports goes on, which means that diehard New England Patriots supporters around the world (and there are plenty of them) need to find a way to accept the unacceptable. To that end, Peter Schieffelin Nyberg has some practical and wise advice on coping.

Looking Towards the Positives

“The first thing that fans need to keep in mind is that it is not all negative,” commented Peter Schieffelin Nyberg. “Yes, there are going to be some tough seasons ahead, but it is not like the Patriots are an expansion team. There are some excellent pieces in place, very solid ownership, and whether you love him or loathe him, Belichick is still in a coaching class unto himself. There are 31 other teams in the league that would hire him in a heartbeat."

Peter also reminds fans to take a moment to reflect on the last two decades stating "truly, even the most optimistic Patriots fan could not have imagined so much success. This is not basketball, where great teams can build dynasties. In the NFL, making it to three or four Super Bowls in a 17-year period is a feat unto itself, let alone making a staggering nine appearances and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy six times."

The last thing to keep in mind that is being a fan is not just about celebrating championships and going to parades. It is about watching a team develop over time and come together. We have the opportunity to see and experience something new. It will be an adventure and there will be a lot of emotion and debate.