Tom Martinez, Brady's quarterback mentor, dies

UNDATED (WHDH) -- Tom Martinez, the California quarterback coach whom Tom Brady credits for his development, died on Tuesday.

Martinez, who suffered from diabetes, reportedly died of a heart attack during a dialysis session. It was his 66th birthday.

Martinez was one of the most successful coaches in California community college history. Known as the ‘quarterback whisperer,’ Martinez had mentored Brady since he was just 13 years old.

When the coach suffered complications from his diabetes and needed a kidney transplant, Brady himself made an appeal, hoping to find a donor.

Patriots players took to social media to remember the late coach. Julian Edelman tweeted, "RIP coach Tom Martinez. He was such a great mentor to many in the bay area. His legacy will always live on."

The Patriots released a statement Tuesday night saying: “Our sincere condolences go out to the Martinez family and all those he mentored throughout his incredible career.”

Martinez also mentored Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway when Elway was a boy.

(Copyright (c) 2012 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)