New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick described his decision to leave the New York Jets in 2000 as one of the greatest moments of his illustrious career.
Belichick has enjoyed a remarkable career in the NFL, leading the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles since his appointment two decades ago.
The most successful head coach in NFL history, Belichick resigned on the day he was due to front the media as the Jets' new coach 20 years ago.
After the Patriots (3-5) topped the winless Jets (0-9) 30-27 on Monday, Belichick recalled his stunning departure from New York.
"That was one of the not only most defining, but one of the great moments of my career," Belichick WEEI in Boston on Tuesday.
"That combined with Robert [Kraft] giving me the opportunity to come here, I couldn't have asked for anything more."
Belichick had joined the Jets in 1997 and served as the team's assistant head coach and defensive co-ordinator before Bill Parcells stepped down at the end of the 1999 season.
Parcells had arranged for Belichick to succeed him in New York however, the latter went on to take charge of the Patriots in a bizarre turn of events – New England giving up a first-round draft pick to prise the former Cleveland Browns coach.
Belichick added: "That wasn't a good situation for me and I didn't want to be a part of it, so I wasn't. The other half was Robert giving me the opportunity to come [to New England].
"Trading, he gave up quite a bit for me to come here, that was a big trade. I'm very thankful that it worked out.
"I appreciate all the support from Robert, the Kraft family, the Patriots' organisation and all the New England fans. I'll keep trying to do my best for this team, and this organisation, giving the very best that I can.
"I'm very thankful for the opportunity to come here and I just wasn't going to stay there in that situation."
Nick Folks' 51-yard field goal was the longest game-winning field goal with no time remaining in the fourth quarter in Patriots history as New England snapped a four-game losing streak, per Stats Perform.
Patriots quarterback Cam Newton completed 18 passes to undrafted wide receivers in the victory over the Jets (Jakobi Meyers 12, Damiere Byrd five and Gunner Olszewski one). It was the most completions to undrafted wide receivers by any QB in a win during the Super Bowl era.