Wednesday 6 February 2019 13:50, UK
Bill Belichick says his New England team "played like champions" as they claimed a sixth Super Bowl title under the legendary head coach.
The Patriots dominated the high-octane attack of the LA Rams, running out 13-3 winners at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium to win a sixth Vince Lombardi trophy in 18 years.
Belichick and 41-year-old quarterback Tom Brady have been part of all six triumphs, going back to their first over the St Louis Rams in 2002 and having reaching the NFL's showpiece for the third year in succession they ensured their was no repeat of last season's reverse against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite putting together a gameplan that silenced one of the NFL's most dynamic offensives under its brightest offensive coach, Belichick was quick to praise his players.
"It's a great day for our football team that Mr Kraft put together," he said in the presentation ceremony
"It's all about the players, they've worked so hard all year and competed every week and they competed today, like champions…..they played like champions."
At 66, Belichick becomes the oldest head coach to win the Super Bowl, and saw his team produce a defensive masterclass to limit the Rams to three points.
Belichick said: "They [Rams] are a great football team and they are well coached but it's about the players - they made the plays, they stopped the run, they covered the receivers and they tackled the quarterback.
"And then we moved the ball when we had - it's really sweet, everyone counting us out, from the beginning of the season to mid-season but we are still here."
Sky Sports coverage of the NFL will continue through the off-season as we track the player moves and the storylines in the build-up to the 100th year of the NFL - and we will have all three days of the NFL Draft covered in April.
