Brady says mentor's "legacy will live on forever"

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Tom Brady's longtime personal mentor Tom Martinez passed away Tuesday. Martinez was 66 years old and died of a heart attack.

Via Brady's Facebook page, the Patriots quarterback released the following statement on Martinez:

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my coach, mentor and friend. Coach Martinez's invaluable assistance and support will never be forgotten and will always have a lasting impact on my life. The time we spent together remain some of my fondest memories. His legacy of commitment, toughness and determination will live on forever."

Brady credited Martinez before this year's Super Bowl as being the person who taught Brady how to throw a football. Martinez coached Brady while Brady was a teenager.

As a multi-sport coach at College of San Mateo, Martinez won 32 championships. According to the San Mateo Daily Journal, Martinez won 400 games as the school's football coach, 565 coaching basketball and 800 as a softball coach.

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