FOXBOROUGH – If you were lucky enough to be anywhere near the plaza outside The Hall in front of the lighthouse at Gillette Stadium on Friday evening, you know the feeling.
It felt like the old days.
The Brady buzz will forever be different. It’s probably what Chicago fans have whenever MJ comes around.
Surrounded by family, friends and former teammates – including Ty Law, Lonnie Paxton and even Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones now as Washington Commanders – along with new Patriots head coach and former teammate Mike Vrabel about an hour before he coached his first game as HC of the NEP, Robert Kraft unveiled a new 17-foot statue for Brady with the GOAT in attendance.
17-feet for his 17 AFC East titles, although Brady himself is 12-feet in the statue, for his No. 12 of course.
Fans lined up anywhere and everywhere they could to get a glimpse of TB12 and the new impressive bronze sculpture that will sit in front of the house he built forever. The ceremony itself wasn’t long, about 20 minutes with the voice of the team on 98.5 The Sports Hub Bob Socci emceeing the event. There was a highlight package of Brady’s biggest moments as well as a reel from his retirement ceremony at Gillette last year. RKK said a few words and then he and Brady stood side-by-side along with Jonathan Kraft as Socci counted down from three, leading the huge throng of fans in unison before a big blue cloth covering the new piece was pulled away.
With flames shooting up just behind it, Brady admired the impressive artwork, smiling from ear-to-ear before he took to the podium.
Brady had all the usual thank you you’d expect. His family, the fans, his coaches, his teammates and the organization. But, there was also the wise ass, funny side of Brady that came out again too, taking jabs at both the Jets and Bill Belichick.
“In the end, this statue isn’t just for Pats fans,” Brady said. “It’ll also give Jets fans something to throw their beers at as they leave the stadium every year…probably in the second quarter. Maybe the third.”
The Belichick line even came with a prop, as he pulled out his cell phone, pretending to have a brief conversation towards the end of the speech.
“Hello? Really? Ok…sorry Jeff (Buccacio, creator of the statue)…that was Coach Belichick. He said ‘there’s still room for improvement,” Brady joked, drawing a big laugh. “I know the feeling.”
Brady then closed things out with a joke and a sentimental message.
“I’m proud to know that fans can show up at this stadium and feel as inspired as I always did playing here,” he added. “To think that a kid from California might someday travel here to this plaza, stop, gaze at this work of art and say ‘who the hell is that guy?’
“I’ve said this before, but I want to say it again. I’m humbled and honored to have been part of this organization for 20 incredible years. You guys shaped my life and the life of my family. For that, I’m forever grateful. I hope I’ve given to you as much as you have given to me.”
If you grew up as a fan watching Brady work his magic and you were able to celebrate those special Sundays in February (seemingly every year), you know that as fans, you can never truly repay him for creating those core memories that will last a lifetime.
And still, on Friday night, Brady delivered yet another one as he was immortalized at 1 Patriot Place.