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Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady paid tribute to him during the halftime ceremony of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. –
CNN
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Tom Brady made an emotional return to New England on Sunday, declaring himself a “patriot for life.”
Brady retired from professional football earlier this year after three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the three-time NFL MVP will always remember his time with the New England Patriots.
During his time with the Patriots, Brady brought six Super Bowl championships to New England and turned the team into a football powerhouse.
“When Tom Brady announced his retirement after 23 NFL seasons, there was only one place I wanted him to be on Opening Day – right here at Gillette Stadium with 65,000 fans,” Patriots owner Robert Clough Te said as he introduced Brady to the crowded field. The field where a special halftime ceremony is held to honor the quarterback during games against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“In the 103-year history of the NFL, nearly 27,000 players have appeared in the game, and we know that the greatest player of that time was Tom Brady.”
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Brady attended the game with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
When the applause and cheers finally subsided, Brady addressed those in attendance.
“Today’s game was a little longer than it used to be – I wasn’t in great shape, but there’s no way I would be in this stadium packed with you amazing fans and some of my best teammates and my Family and all my friends, don’t run out like I’ve done for 20 years,” Brady told the New England crowd as he received a warm welcome from the crowd.
“I was fortunate enough to be drafted into the Army 20 years ago — 23 years ago to be exact — and didn’t even know where New England was on the map or that we put it on the map, but I think the U.S. More people know where the New England Patriots play.”
Brady set nearly every franchise passing record imaginable with the Patriots, leading the team to 17 division titles and 219 regular-season wins.
Brady said: “All of our lives take us on different journeys, take us to different places, bring different people into our lives, but the one thing that I know for sure and will never change is that I A lifelong patriot.”
Kraft also announced that he will waive the four-year waiting period for induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame, and Brady will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year at Gillette Stadium for his first induction ceremony.
“I love you guys so much and see you next summer,” Brady concluded.
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Brady reached out to fans after the ceremony to honor his memory.
The Patriots have not won a Super Bowl since Brady’s departure, and the team’s first NFL game of the 2023/2024 season ended in defeat, with the Philadelphia Eagles leaving Gillette Stadium with a 25-20 victory.
The Eagles got off to a good start when Darius Slay intercepted a Mac Jones pass attempt. Philadelphia’s cornerback rushed down the field and intercepted the ball 70 yards for a touchdown.
DeVonta Smith caught a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts late in the first quarter, giving Philadelphia a 16-0 lead after 15 minutes.
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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (right) celebrates his sixth pick with teammate James Bradbury (center).
The Patriots scored 14 points in the second quarter. Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne both had touchdown passes from Jones, bringing the Patriots within two points of the Eagles and potentially turning the game around.
However, after halftime, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott scored nine more points for the Eagles, bringing the score to 25-14 and putting Philadelphia in complete control.
The Patriots weren’t quite done with the game, as Byrne added his second touchdown on another pass from Jones, but it wasn’t enough as the Eagles preserved their precious first-game win.