(already subscribe? log in).

Tom Brady ‘deeply saddened’ by coach’s passing

THIS STORY APPEARED IN
Boston Articles
February 23, 2012|By Shalise Manza Young
  • Tom Martinez, right, worked with Tom Brady last summer.
Tom Martinez, right, worked with Tom Brady last summer. (Karen T. Borchers/Mercury…)

Tom Brady was hit hard by the passing of Tom Martinez, the Northern California coaching legend whose most famous pupil was the Patriots quarterback. Martinez died yesterday on his 66th birthday.

Brady said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of his longtime mentor and friend.

“Coach Martinez’s invaluable assistance and support will never be forgotten and will always have a lasting impact on my life,” Brady said.

“The time we spent together remain some of my fondest memories. His legacy of commitment, toughness and determination will live on forever.”

Tom Brady’s father first took him to see Martinez when the young quarterback was just 13, and he continued to work with the longtime College of San Mateo coach through this past season.

As Martinez’s health began to decline because of diabetes, Brady tried to use his name to get Martinez the kidney he needed, posting an appeal on his Facebook page for the MatchingDonors program.

But a match never came. Martinez reportedly suffered a heart attack yesterday during one of his four-times-a-week dialysis treatments.

Advertisement
Advertisement
|
|
|
|