After an illustrious 24-season tenure, Bill Belichick has parted ways with the New England Patriots, marking the conclusion of the longest coaching stint in the franchise’s history. This decision, mutually made by Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft and Belichick, harks back to the year 2000 when Kraft hired him as the head coach.
Belichick’s journey to New England involved a significant move, as the Patriots and the NFL Commissioner orchestrated a deal with the New York Jets, where Belichick served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 1997-99. In exchange for releasing Belichick from his contract, the Patriots relinquished a first-round draft pick to the Jets.
Reflecting on the sports world during Belichick’s assumption of the Patriots’ head coaching role in 2000 unveils a landscape that has undergone substantial transformations.
The year 2000 witnessed the XXVII Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, where 10,651 athletes from 199 countries competed in 300 events. These Olympics marked the inclusion of taekwondo and triathlon events for the first time, and also allowed female athletes to participate in modern pentathlon and weightlifting. The United States emerged as the top medal winner with 93, followed by Russia, China, and Australia.
Formula One made a return to the United States after an absence since 1991, with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosting the Grand Prix. The track underwent a multimillion-dollar construction project, introducing a new road course, pitstops, garages, suites, and a Pagoda control tower.
Meanwhile, in the golfing world, Tiger Woods, at the age of 24, made history by becoming the youngest player to achieve a career Grand Slam. This milestone occurred during the British Open at the Old Courses in St. Andrews, where Woods set a record with the lowest score in relation to par at a major tournament. He finished with a 19-under 296 total, winning the tournament.
In the cycling realm, the 87th edition of the Tour de France in 2000 took an unprecedented turn as Lance Armstrong was accused by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency of using performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career. Consequently, Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, and cycling’s governing body imposed a ban.
Tennis sensation Venus Williams had a remarkable year in 2000, securing victories at Wimbledon and the US Open. In addition to her singles triumphs, Williams clinched the XXVII Summer Olympic Games singles gold medal and the gold medal in women’s doubles alongside her sister Serena. These achievements propelled her to finish the year ranked No. 3 in the world.
In baseball, the New York Yankees emerged victorious in the 2000 World Series against their cross-town rivals, the New York Mets, clinching the title in a four-game to one victory.
As Bill Belichick takes leave from the New England Patriots, the reminiscence of the sports world in 2000 underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of athletics, with iconic moments, controversies, and achievements etching their place in the annals of history.