WATCH: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick reflect on the ‘Tuck Rule’ in new ’30 for 30′
Tom Brady and Charles Woodson revisit the “tuck rule” play from the 2001 playoffs in a new ESPN “30 for 30” documentary which premiered Sunday night.
A general view of the pregame ceremony before the AFC playoff game between the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on Jan. 19, 2002. The Patriots came from behind to win 16-13 in overtime. (Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)
Al Bello/Getty ImagesFrom Michigan teammates to NFL opponents, Tom Brady and Charles Woodson were linked for most of their football careers. In the NFL, they will forever be connected by the famous "tuck rule" play in the 2001 Divisional Round, which the two reconvened to discuss as part of a new ESPN "30 for 30" special.
The episode first aired last weekend, mere weeks after the 20th anniversary of the game, which is also famous for Adam Vinatieri's clutch field goals through heavy snow in the fourth quarter and overtime that powered the Patriots to victory.
The game itself stands out in Patriots history for a multitude of reasons, from the weather to being the final game played at Foxboro Stadium. It's often cited as the beginning of the Patriots dynasty.
As part of the new "30 for 30," players such as Brady, Willie McGinest and Tedy Bruschi admitted to having no previous knowledge of the rule that saved their season. But of course, one of the few people who says he knew this little-known rule was Bill Belichick, who sounds like he had it down cold at the time.
Of course, the tuck rule gave the Pats another chance, and Brady took advantage by leading multiple drives to set up Vinatieri's clutch kicks. But even Brady himself might believe deep down inside that he fumbled. When jokingly reenacting the play as part of "30 for 30," Brady misspoke and claimed that Woodson’s hit was a fumble before restating the tuck rule.
Brady recognized the impact of this play and its role in shaping his career from that point forward.
“I’m probably the backup QB going into 2002 [if the fumble was upheld],” Brady says in the documentary.
The game gave Brady his first playoff win and led to New England’s first Super Bowl title with a 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. And it all started with arguably the most infamous rule in sports history.
With the combined greatness of quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots dominated the National Football League for two decades. Here's a photo retrospective of the pair during the Pats' run of six Super Bowl championships in 20 seasons together.
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesTom Brady #12, team owner Robert Kraft, and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after winning the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl Opening Night at Minute Maid Park
Bob Levey/Getty ImagesHOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 30: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 stand onstage during Super Bowl 51 Opening Night at Minute Maid Park on January 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesTom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys v New England Patriots
Adam Glanzman/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 24: Tom Brady #12 talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys v New England Patriots
Kathryn Riley/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Tom Brady #12 before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesHead coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 celebrate after winning 34-28 over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Washington Nationals v Boston Red Sox
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws the first pitch before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals as New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on from left at Fenway Park on April 13, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Indianapolis Colts
Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesINDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots congratulate each other after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 18, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Patriots defeated the Colts 34-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Send-Off Rally
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MA - JANUARY 26: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick embraces Patriots owner Robert Kraft while quarterback Tom Brady, left, looks on during the New England Patriots Send-Off Rally at City Hall Plaza on January 26, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Superbowl XLIX on Sunday. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks v New England Patriots
Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesFOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Bill Belichick talks with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Divisional Round - Tennessee Titans v New England Patriots
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts as Tom Brady #12 looks on before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesTom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots in discussion in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 30: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick in the second quarter during the NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 30, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
Divisional Playoffs - Houston Texans v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field with head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots prior to playing against the Houston Texans during the 2013 AFC Divisional Playoffs game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots converses with head coach Bill Belichick during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 29, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick look on during warm ups before the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LIII - New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots after the Patriots defeat the Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
