Tom Brady looking into the crowd at the conclusion of the Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. (AP Photo)
In a sold-out ceremony at Gillette Stadium with over 60,000 fans in attendance, Tom Brady was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame on Wednesday night. Owner Robert Kraft announced that Brady’s jersey No. 12 will be permanently retired, ensuring no one will wear it again in New England.
Kraft also revealed that a 12-foot-tall statue of Brady will be unveiled during the 2024 season, a first for the franchise.
“Our goal was to create a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony for a one-in-a-kind player. I hope we accomplished that goal with a few firsts,” Kraft said.
Emotional Speech by Brady
Brady capped off the three-hour event with a rousing speech that was at times fiery, emotional, inspirational, and humorous. He called it a “monumental moment” in his life, thanked Kraft, and concluded by saying, “I am eternally grateful. I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot.”
During his 20 years with the Patriots (2000-2019), Brady led the team to six Super Bowl championships and 17 AFC East titles. He finished his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning another Super Bowl.
Reunion with Belichick and Teammates
Over 100 of Brady’s former teammates and coaches attended the ceremony, including Bill Belichick, who made his first appearance at Gillette Stadium since parting ways with the Patriots in January after 24 seasons.
Brady acknowledged Belichick, who was one of the night’s featured speakers and received a thunderous ovation.
“Thank you for your tireless commitment to develop and push me to be my very best. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t you, it was us,” Brady said. “Let me make this crystal clear – there is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick.”
Belichick reciprocated with heartfelt remarks to Brady.
“Thank you for all that you’ve done for us. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. And also, thank you for the example and model that you’ve been for all of us, on a daily basis, for 20 years,” Belichick said. “You’re unbelievable.”
Special Guests and Performances
The night featured several surprises for Brady, including the presence of longtime rival Peyton Manning. Manning insisted on delivering his remarks in person, noting that Brady had attended his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2021.
Singer Kenny Chesney performed a live version of his song “The Boys of Fall,” and rapper Jay-Z sang “Public Service Announcement,” the song Brady used when taking the field during the latter part of his Patriots career.
Family Moments and Reflections
Brady’s parents, sisters, and extended family were present, and he showed his emotions while mentioning them throughout the night.
“It is so difficult to put into words what this night means to me and our entire family,” he said.
This report used information from ESPN.
