Robert Kraft Announces Patriots Plans To Honor Tom Brady

Tom Brady spent 20 of his 23 NFL seasons as the face of the New England Patriots.

New England Patriots team owner and CEO Robert Kraft was crystal clear on his feelings regarding legendary franchise quarterback Tom Brady. 

“He’s a Patriot from start to finish,” Kraft told NBC10 Boston during a Tuesday interview. 

While rumors of honorary contracts and organizational celebrations have continued to swirl since Brady announced his retirement (“for good,” this time), Kraft essentially announced the team’s plans to honor Brady at some point in the foreseeable future. 

“We’re going to have him back here and celebrate his 20 years with the Patriots,” Kraft said. “Hopefully we’ll have occasions to do it every year for different reasons … We’ll be at 25 years since the first Super Bowl [in a few years]. But he’s a very special person. He’s been … I like to say ‘like a brother’ to me, but really a son, and he’s pretty special.”

When asked whether the organization’s plans for Brady included a celebration, or an agreement on a one-day contract, Kraft replied: “All of the above.”

.@Patriots owner Robert Kraft telling me he spoke with @TomBrady today & a celebration of his career in New England will take place, potentially in the form of a one-day contract @NBC10Boston pic.twitter.com/PkvimmuHpM

— Malcolm Johnson NBC10 Boston (@MalNBCBoston) February 7, 2023

Kraft did not provide any further details, including a possible timeframe, for any future festivities. 

During a recent appearance on CNN, Kraft spoke about effusively about Brady, while mentioning his intention to have the former face of his franchise retire with the team by signing am honorary one-day contract with the organization.

“I’d do it tomorrow,” Kraft said. “Not only do I want it, our fans are clamoring for it and to us, he always has been and always will be a Patriot ... We’ll do everything we can in our power to bring him back, sign off as a Patriot and find ways to honor him for many years to come.”

For New England, bidding farewell to Brady is not exactly a new experience. The heartache felt by the crushing end of a 20-year love affair began in similar fashion, nearly three years ago, when Brady announced his decision to leave New England, via social media, on March 17, 2020. In the now infamous posting, Brady explained that while his football journey would be continuing elsewhere, he would consider himself “Forever a Patriot.” 

Less than a week after reveling his plans to leave New England, Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Despite his departure, Brady is largely adored in New England; firmly entrenched among the immortal beloveds of New England sports. As such, Kraft’s plan to bring him back into the Foxboro fold shows that he has his finger on the pulse of Patriots Nation. 

Despite some expressions of cynicism surrounding Brady’s potential celebration, the groundwork was laid throughout the year, with Kraft and Patriots coach effusively praising the seven-time Super Bowl Champion when asked about his Patriots’ legacy. On Monday night, Brady welcomed Belichick as a guest for the first post-retirement edition of his “Let’s Go!” podcast — during which the pair expressed their mutual respect and gratitude for each other. 

Accordingly, the Patriots and Brady appear set for a reunion, which will bring New England’s favorite son back into the Foxboro fold — even if only for a day. 

---

Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

New England and beyond! Get your Patriots game tickets from SI Tickets ... here!

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.