Happy 20th anniversary of the birth of the New England Patriots' dynasty!
April 16 is always a special day at One Patriot Place because it's head coach Bill Belichick's birthday. (He turns 68 on Thursday.)
But on this day in 2000, Belichick gave himself the ultimate birthday present: He drafted Tom Brady.
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On the second day of the 2000 NFL Draft -- April 16, 2000 -- the Patriots used their No. 199 overall pick on a slow-footed quarterback from Michigan.
Here's how ESPN's broadcast covered the Patriots' selection at the time.
Yes, that's a young Mike Tirico with the prescient observation that Brady had outplayed Michigan starter Drew Henson to earn the attention of NFL teams.
And yes, that's the ageless Mel Kiper Jr. with a pretty favorable scouting report of the under-the-radar QB.
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"Smart, experienced ... accurate, throws a very catchable ball," Kiper said of Brady. " ... He stands in that pocket very tough. He can take a hit."
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But Kiper noted mobility was an issue for Brady -- as ESPN ironically ran a highlight of one of his three rushing touchdowns at Michigan -- and wondered whether Brady could elude NFL pass rushers with his 5.25-second-40-yard-dash speed.
Twenty years, six Super Bowl titles and countless NFL awards later, Kiper has his answer.
Even with Brady joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, this is a great trip down memory lane for Patriots fans. Tirico and Kiper actually came out OK here, too: Kiper even suggested Brady may fit in a Patriots offense already operating with a traditional pocket passer in Drew Bledsoe.
Belichick apparently figured that too, leading him to celebrate his birthday with the most important draft pick of his NFL life.