For the first time since 2000, an NFL season will begin with Tom Brady not on an NFL team.
After announcing his retirement (for a second time) back in February, Brady will attend Sunday’s game and be honored as part of a special halftime ceremony.
Brady, the game’s ultimate MVP is known internationally for leading his teams to the glorious Super Bowl many times.
Speaking on his “Let’s Go!” podcast with Jim Gray, Brady reflected on what a trip back to Gillette Stadium means after playing for 20 seasons in New England.
Kraft has been very welcoming to me. So I’m going to have a lot of great friends there,” Brady told Gray.
“I’ve had so many people text me and say that they’re excited to see me come back. So it’ll be really a special reunion and I’m excited to get there. I haven’t been back much, just by the way things work out. Your life kinda takes you in different directions.”
Brady returned once to Foxborough after leaving the Patriots in free agency in March 2020, playing one game against New England as a member of the Buccaneers on Oct. 3, 2021.
Even though Brady received plenty of cheers as an opposing player during that Week 4 matchup, Sunday’s ceremony should offer some closure for Brady after forging most of his Hall-of-Fame career over 20 total seasons with the Patriots.
“A lot of gratitude,” Brady said of his emotions going into Sunday’s event. “I had two decades of incredible life-changing, altering experiences. I have so many memories from my time there. Memories with people there. I’m creating a new memory with people there.”
“To go back to that stadium and bring my kids and my family in a different way. I’ve not been to that stadium in this way ever. I went there as a player. I went there once as a competitor. And now I’m going to go there really as a fan, and then I’m going to be there in the future as a broadcaster.”
“I think there’s a lot of cool things happening. Again, I think part of life is growing in different ways, expanding in different ways, trying new things, and getting outside your comfort zone. It’s okay. Even the expectations I have for myself. I’m going to work really hard in this part of my career.”
“Knowing that (expletive), the first time you try something you’re not very good at it. The first time I threw a football, I was not very good at it. The first time that I tried a math equation, I wasn’t very good at it. In different ways, the first time you try anything, it’s not going to be the easiest way, and you’re going to have to keep working at it.”
“So, I don’t think it’s going to be hard to be a fan though. I love the sport, and I love the Patriots. So, going up there to see a lot of my friends and family is going to be a great experience.”
Head coach Bill Belichick discussed Brady’s return on Monday.
“It’ll be great to see Tom,” Belichick said.
“Tom has meant so much to this team, to this organization, me personally. It was a tremendous experience to be able to coach him.”
“Certainly, recognizing him, for all his great achievements here is more than appropriate. Look forward to seeing him and glad that he’s getting a lot of recognition and appreciation for that because he certainly deserves it.” Belichick said.
Brady finally retired after his 23rd season, and the 46-year-old doesn’t sound interested in another comeback. He’ll instead watch the Pats play the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
“I love the sport, and I love the Patriots, so going up there to see a lot of my friends and family is going to be really a great experience,” Brady added.
Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft announced the invitation in May. He called it “the beginning of many celebrations to honor Tom Brady and say thank you for what he did for us those 20 years.”
He’s ready to return as a fan and anticipated eventually going to Gillette as a broadcaster when joining the FOX booth in 2024.
