Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Brady, 46, penned a thoughtful message abouthis return to his longtime NFL team, where he won six Super Bowls, in a post onInstagramMonday.
“Coming back to New England to celebrate what WE accomplished was so special, and it’s a day that I’ll never forget,” he added.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft speaks while former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts while Brady’s children, Vivian, Benjamin, and Jack, look on during a ceremony honoring Brady at halftime of New England’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The seven-time Super Bowl champion, who won his final ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, said he’ll “never take for granted” the moments he shared with the Patriots organization, and specifically his “teammates, family, friends, coaches, and most importantly, all the fans of Patriot Nation.”
Brady continued, “We won a whole lot of games up here… and believe it or not we had a whole lot of fun doing it. I’m so lucky to have been a New England Patriot. Foxboro Forever.”
After he was introduced, a jersey-clad Brady ran out on the field to JAY-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” and pumped his fist as he reached the end zone — the same run he used to do before every Patriots game.
He then joined his kids, who were sporting their dad’s iconic jersey, at the podium.
Brady teased that his “run" onto the field was “a little longer today than it used to be,” to open his speech on Sunday.
Tom Brady runs onto the field as the New England Patriots retire his jersey.Michael Dwyer/AP Photo
Michael Dwyer/AP Photo
“This is an incredible celebration for me, for our family, for my teammates, for all of us to come back and thank you guys for what you’ve done for us,” Brady said.
In his speech, the NFL legend reflected on joining the Patriots in 2000 — when he didn’t know where New England was — and how far the team has come since then.
“I was so fortunate to be drafted here two decades ago, 23 years to be exact, not even knowing where New England was on the map, and not that we put it on the map, but I think a lot more people in the U.S. know where the New England Patriots play.”
Tom Brady kisses daughter Vivian on the head as New England Patriots retire his jersey.JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
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Brady spoke about the team’s ability to deal with “whatever came our way,” on Sunday. “We dealt with a lot of adversities, and it toughened us up. And we, as a team, represented you guys. Every time we took the field,” Brady added.
“It’s one of my core beliefs there’s nothing significant in life that can be accomplished as an individual. It’s always about the team. So I think we proved to America what teamwork is all about,” Brady continued. “We proved that believing in each other, believing in playing for this community and believing in playing for a common mission, we were able to pour out six of those banners and celebrate them in this stadium.”
source: people.com
