Patriots fans show love to Bill Belichick during Tom Brady's HOF induction: "The king of Foxboro", "Robert Kraft in shambles"

Tom Brady's career is inextricably linked with Bill Belichick since they spent two decades crafting a Patriots dynasty that brought six Super Bowls to New England. So, it was fitting to see the head coach there at the quarterback's induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

While it was not surprising, there was the subplot that Bill Belichick was returning to Foxborough during the offseason but not as a coach at the height of the mandatory minicamps. He was fired after the end of last season after a disappointing season that saw them miss out on the playoffs and end up as the third-worst team in the league.

But if there was any lingering awkwardness for the legendary coach, it would have gone out of the window the moment he was welcomed warmly by the Patriots faithful. Even though they were there to honor Tom Brady, they made it clear that the former coach and general manager's contribution to the organization was not forgotten. And they cheered him on right in front of Robert Kraft, who had to take the decision to fire him mere months ago.

That same dynamic manifested on social media as well. Fans took to X/Twitter, to raise a toast to the future Hall-of-Fame coach.

Here are some of the reactions from fans on X:

The term GOAT was also not infrequently used as both Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are known by that name. It was clear that the Patriots fans were not willing to choose one over the other between their quarterback and coach and had love for both of them.

Here are some more responses:

"some goats in the building"

"Gillette Stadium erupted. This place was shaking. Standing ovation for 3 minutes! Bill Belichick = GOAT"

"Great job by the fanbase! Very classy!"

Will Bill Belichick be honored the same way Tom Brady was by Robert Kraft and New England Patriots?

Tom Brady was given a hero's welcome by Robert Kraft, who also announced that in addition to his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame, the quarterback will have his jersey retired and a statue built. He held the ceremony at the Gillette Stadium so as many fans as possible could pay homage to the one player who, more than anyone else, underpinned their dynasty.

But based on the ovation Bill Belichick got, the Patriots fans will not mind having him inducted in a similarly lavish setting. Whether he will get one remains an open question. After his firing, it is not clear how much of a relationship exists between the former head coach and the owner.

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, famously blocked Jimmy Johnson's pathway to the Hall of Fame and the franchise's Ring of Honor after falling out with the coach who launched their dynasty in the 1990s. Only a later rapprochement after a couple of decades smoothed things over.

One hopes that is not the fate that befalls Bill Belichick when he officially retires. The New England supporters made clear the love they have for the head coach who was instrumental, along with Tom Brady, for making them the most successful NFL franchise in the Super Bowl era.