"It wasn't me. It wasn't you," Brady declared. "It was us." He cemented his loyalty, stating, "There is no other coach I'd rather play for than Bill Belichick."
The evening unfolded like a walk down memory lane. A red carpet welcomed Brady's fellow Patriots through the years, including Ty Law, Randy Moss, and Rob Gronkowski. Inside the stadium, Jay-Z's iconic "Public Service Announcement," Brady's pre-game ritual anthem, set the stage for a night of video tributes from rivals like Ray Lewis and Charles Woodson, alongside cheers and boos for former opponents like Eli Manning. Even Boston's own heroes, David Ortiz and Matt Damon, sent their congratulations via video.
A touch of humor came from Drew Bledsoe, the quarterback Brady famously replaced. Bledsoe joked about Brady's shortcomings as a backup, while Moss, fighting back tears, recounted his request to have his locker placed right next to Brady's.
The surprise appearance of Peyton Manning added another layer of respect. The former rivals discussed their epic on-field battles, with Manning admitting he "never prayed on the sidelines" except when facing a late-game Brady drive. Brady, ever gracious, called Manning "one of his best friends."
The night solidified the bond between Brady and the Patriots. "We're still the family that's trying to love each other," Brady proclaimed, "We're adopted New Englanders." Ending his speech with a voice thick with emotion, Brady declared, "I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot." The roar of the crowd, a sea of number 12 jerseys, left no doubt about the mutual feeling. It was a night that cemented Brady's legacy not just as a football legend, but as a beloved member of the New England Patriots family.
Jeff Ian
