“I wanted to say thank you to all the incredible fans and Patriot supporters,” wrote Tom Brady at the start of the message that shattered the heart of everyone in Boston. The 42-year-old NFL quarterback, who brought six Super Bowl championships to Massachusetts, announced on Mar. 17 that after twenty seasons with the New England Patriots, it was time to move on. “[Massachusetts] has been my home for twenty years. It has truly been the happiest two decades I could have envisioned in my life, and I have nothing but love and gratitude for my time in New England. The support has been overwhelming – I wish every player could experience it.”
“My children were born and raised here,” continued Tom, referencing the two children he has with his wife Gisele Bundchen — Benjamin, 10, and Vivian, 7 – and Jack Brady, 12, his son with Bridget Moynahan. “You always embraced this California kid as your own. I love your commitment and loyalty to your teams, and winning for our city means more than you will ever know. I can’t thank you enough for the support of our team. The packed training camps and sold-out stadiums and mostly the victory parades. I have been so blessed to share them with you all.”
“I tried to represent us always in the best and most honorable way,” added Tom, in a line that seemed to intentionally troll his “Deflate-Gate” accusers, “and I fought hard with my teammates to help bring victory and triumph even in the most dire situations. You opened your heart to me, and I opened my heart to you. And Pats Nation will always be a part of me. I don’t know what my football future holds, but it is time for me to open a new stage for my life and career. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I will always love you and what we have shared – a lifetime full of fun memories.”
“To all my teammates, coaches, executives and staff, Coach [Bill] Belichick, [Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots], and the entire organization. I want to say thank you for the past twenty years of my life and the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning culture based on great values. I am grateful for all that you have taught me – I have learned from everyone. You have allowed me to maximize my potential and that is all a player can ever hope for. Everything we have accomplished brings me great joy and the lessons I have learned will carry on with me forever,” he added. “Although my football journey will take place elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible TEAM accomplishments. I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to know each and every one of you, and to have the memories we created together.”
Gisele applauded her husband’s announcement. “So much gratitude for all the wonderful experiences and friendships we had in beautiful New England this past few years,” she commented.
This news – on St. Patrick’s Day, of all days – was met with tears from his fans and well-wishes from his fellow football players. “I don’t like Tom Brady leaving. It’s gives me Joe Montana Vibes. It can only be right to me if he goes to San Fran. That would be dope!” tweeted former NFL wide-receiver Torrey Smith while ex-linebacker DeMarcus Ware couldn’t believe it. “I guess all good things to truly come to an end! What an era for TB12 in New England! You can only grow but so much in the same soil.”
The big question now is: what’s next? By saying he didn’t know “what my football future holds,” it appears that retirement isn’t off the table. However, Tom has repeatedly said that he wants to play football until he’s 45, and a source told HollywoodLife EXCLUSIVELY that for his last contract, he wanted to get paid “at least $30 million a year.” Until 2019, Tom Brady – the man many consider to be the Greatest Of All Time, had never made more than $20 million per season, and six other quarterbacks in the NFL out-earned him. Needless to say, wherever Tom decides to go — even if he hangs up his helmet — football will never be the same.
