Quarterback Guru Tom Martinez Dead at 66

iStockPhot​o/Thinksto​ck(NEW YORK) -- Tom Martinez, the man who helped mold New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady into the player he is today, died Tuesday -- on his 66th birthday.

Martinez, who worked with Brady as recently during the week leading up to the Super Bowl, reportedly died from a heart attack he suffered during a dialysis session.

"He's obviously a great friend of mine and a great friend of my family's, and has been for a long time," Brady said of Martinez before the Super Bowl. "He taught me how to throw the football at a young age. I'm forever indebted to him."

"Talk about a perfectionist, he's a perfectionist and he doesn't let anything slide with me. I owe so much to him. I love him. I love his family. He's got a great family, and I enjoy being with him and working with him."

Last summer, Martinez was given just months to live but managed to fight on; he suffered from kidney and heart problems.

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