Tom Brady is now an official member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
The Patriots inducted Brady into their Hall of Fame on Wednesday night before a sold-out crowd in Foxborough – which took place across from Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft presented Brady with his red Hall of Fame jacket to end the night, and then he officially retired Brady’s No. 12 jersey forever.
“There is only one iconic number that will represent Tom Brady. And tonight I promise it will never be worn again,” Kraft told the crowd at Gillette Stadium as Brady looked on with tears in his eyes. “The number 12 is now officially retired.”
Brady thanked Kraft, longtime coach Bill Belichick and countless others during his emotional speech.
Although the typical induction ceremony takes place during the NFL season, the Patriots have brought up Brady’s because he will be calling games for Fox this fall. The team also announced during the halftime ceremony last season that it would waive the normal waiting period for Brady so he could be inducted into their Hall of Fame early. So they landed on June 12, which was a perfect way to honor both his jersey number and the number of Super Bowls he won with the franchise.
Brady spent most of his career with the Patriots, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Michigan. After taking over for Drew Bledsoe, Brady quickly helped build one of the best dynasties the league has ever seen in New England. He won six Super Bowls in his 20 years with the team, reached the game three more times, made the playoffs as the team’s starter on all but two occasions and was the league’s MVP three times.
Brady, who won a seventh Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring for good after the 2022 campaign, finished his career throwing for 89,214 yards and 212 touchdowns. He has compiled a 219-64 record in New England, and he will certainly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he becomes eligible in 2028.
Randy Moss, Bill Belichick and others honor Tom Brady
There were many big names in attendance to see Brady receive his red jacket, including Belichick – who has since parted ways with the Patriots. More than 200 of Brady’s former teammates and coaches were in attendance, including Rob Gronkwoski, Mike Vrabel, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and Randy Moss.
Jay-Z opened the evening with a performance on stage.
At one point, Moss burst into tears while receiving a huge standing ovation from Patriots fans in the stadium, which was an incredible moment for the wide receiver.
Moss spent three full seasons with Brady and the Patriots, recording over 1,000 receiving yards in all seasons.
“You all know it’s always good to feel this,” he told the crowd as he wiped away tears. “I thank you all.”
Bledsoe, just like he did at Brady’s Roast earlier this season, came up with plenty of jokes.
Peyton Manning appeared on stage at one point to surprise Brady.
Belichick, who spent 24 seasons in New England, then took the stage last before Brady received his jacket from Kraft.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Belichick said. “Thank you for the example and role model you have been to all of us every day for twenty years. You are incredible. Congratulations.”
As far as Hall of Fame rules go, Kraft and the Patriots pulled out all the stops for Brady. Considering what he has done for the organization, it seemed fitting.
