Before they face each other Sunday night, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick reunited for one reason: Eli Manning.
Well, not exactly.
In separate videos, the Buccaneers quarterback and Patriots head coach sent messages into ESPN's "Monday Night Football" alternate telecast, which features brothers Eli and Peyton Manning. On Sunday, Eli Manning had his No. 10 jersey retired by the Giants and was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.
"You deserved every victory," Brady said. "You earned them all. [You're] an amazing quarterback. You displayed everything that it takes to be one of the all-time greats."
"Congratulations on your 16-year, franchise-record career with the New York Giants," Belichick said.
Of course, the shared history between the three legends doesn't need repeating. Brady owns seven Super Bowl rings (six with Belichick in New England and one with Tampa Bay) but could have nine if it were not for Manning and the Giants.
"That's a heck of a tribute, E, from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick," Peyton Manning said on the broadcast. "I think you're the only one that beat them in the Super Bowl that can bring them together now to do a video together – a testimonial to you. Congratulations. You're a healer. You're a bonder, bro."
"Yeah, those guys usually don't talk to me," Eli Manning joked. "They still bring up the '07 Super Bowl. They're still mad about that. They're bitter. So, I'm glad I can bring them together and give them something to talk about."
They will have plenty to talk about after Sunday night's game in Foxborough.
Check out the best photos from Eli Manning's jersey retirement and Ring of Honor induction ceremony at MetLife Stadium.
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning smiles as he addresses the crowd during a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and honor his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning smiles as he addresses the crowd during a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and honor his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning speaks to the crowd while he attends a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Fans honor former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning as he addresses the crowd during a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The jersey number 10 is retired in honor of former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning as the team celebrates his tenure with a ceremony during half-time of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning speaks to the crowd while he attends a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, hugs team president John Mara, right, while he attends a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning smiles while he attends a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning speaks to the crowd while he attends a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning addresses the crowd during a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and honor his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Fireworks are launched to honor former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning as he addresses the crowd during a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is helped into a jacket while he attends a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning smiles while he attends a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and celebrate his tenure with the team during half-time of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, center right, smiles during a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and honor his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, is hugged by team president John Mara, center left, during a ceremony to retire Manning's jersey number 10 and honor his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, smiles as team president John Mara, left, speaks during a ceremony to retire Manning's jersey number 10 and honor his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning smiles as he addresses the crowd during a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and honor his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning addresses the crowd during a ceremony to retire his jersey number 10 and honor his tenure with the team during half-time in an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Brady and Belichick were far from the only highlight of the MNF alternate broadcast, which is becoming less "alternate" with each passing week. Guests this week also included LeBron James, Nick Saban, Archie Manning, and Chris Long. Watch the video below for the best of Week 3.
Single Game Tickets
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