FOXBORO, Mass. — The illustrious career of longtime New England Patriots superstar Tom Brady will be celebrated Sunday at Gillette Stadium as his former team hosts the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in their season-opening game.
Brady, New England’s favorite son, left a permanent imprint on Patriots fans far and wide, quarterbacking the franchise to six Super Bowl victories, nine conference championships, and 16 division titles in 20 seasons in Foxboro. To say the least, it was a thrilling ride many hoped would never end.
Now, those Hall of Fame-worthy achievements will be honored during a special halftime ceremony during this weekend’s 4:25 p.m. game, team chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said. Patriots fans will be given an opportunity to appropriately thank Brady for the success he brought to the region and listen to him deliver a speech, seven months after “retiring for good” from the NFL.
At a ribbon-cutting event for upgrades at Gillette on Thursday, Kraft said the team wants to give Brady and his family a proper sendoff.
“I talked to him recently. He’s really excited and I’m excited,” Kraft told reporters. “Our fans never really got a chance to say goodbye in a proper way, and we’re going to do something special and unique with him.”
Kraft also confirmed that Brady will have 20 family members on hand as the hometown faithful remembers his legacy.
“All of his nephews, nieces, his sisters, his parents. We’re honored to be hosting all of them,” Kraft said. “The NFL is 103 years old I believe. We were privileged to have the greatest player in the history of the game for 20 percent of those years right here. I think it’s kind of cool to say thank you to him.”
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Patriots coach Bill Belichick added, “He certainly deserves it.”
On his “Let’s Go Podcast” with Jim Gray, Brady talked about the special reunion and how he remembers his time with the Patriots.
“A lot of gratitude,” Brady said. “I had two decades of incredible life-changing, altering experiences. I have so many memories from my time there. Memories with people there. I’m creating a new memory with people there. To go back to that stadium and bring my kids and my family in a different way. I’ve not been to that stadium in this way ever. I went there as a player. I went there once as a competitor. And now I’m going to go there really as a fan and then I’m going to be there in the future as a broadcaster.”
“I think Tom Brady’s the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL. So, to follow up on him, it’s just trying to chase the standard that he set, every day,” Jones said. “Honestly, we’re definitely two different players, and that’s the only advice I’d have. Just continue to grow and be yourself, right? That’s all you can do, is put your best foot forward and compete. But yeah, it’s definitely big shoes to fill.”
Patriots Belichick Football FILE - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Miami Dolphins 41-13 in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. Six-time NFL champion Bill Belichick has agreed to part ways as the coach of the New England Patriots on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, bringing an end to his 24-year tenure as the architect of the most decorated dynasty of the league’s Super Bowl era, a source told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because it has not yet been announced. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) (Charles Krupa/AP)
Tom Brady Instagram post about Bill Belichick
Patriots Belichick Football FILE - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after winning NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Ariz., Feb. 1, 2015. Six-time NFL champion Bill Belichick has agreed to part ways as the coach of the New England Patriots on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, bringing an end to his 24-year tenure as the architect of the most decorated dynasty of the league’s Super Bowl era, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because it has not yet been announced. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File) (Matt Slocum/AP)
Seattle Seahawks v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with head coach Bill Belichick during the fourth quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) (Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Washington Nationals v Boston Red Sox BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady walk towards the pitchers mound at Fenway Park before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals on April 13, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady #12 celebrate after winning 34-28 over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am - Round One PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 06: NFL football coach Bill Belichick and professional football player Tom Brady stand on the 17th hole green during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course on February 6, 2014 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Divisional Playoffs - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Tom Brady #12 and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talk before the 2014 AFC Divisional Playoffs game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrate a 34-28 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after winning the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 18: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick prior to the 2015 AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Divisional Round - Kansas City Chiefs v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shake hands at the start of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Tom Brady #12, team owner Robert Kraft, and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Chargers v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Tom Brady #12 during the fourth quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrate a 34-28 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XLIX - New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime to win Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Through the years FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots wlaks past head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots against the Houston Texans during the 2013 AFC Divisional Playoffs game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Tom Brady #12 before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Tom Brady casts a wide shadow over the Patriots’ season-opening matchup with the Eagles (Getty Images
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Tom Brady hired by Delta FILE PHOTO: PARIS, FRANCE: Tom Brady watches on from the crowd alongside Jelena Djokovic during the Men's Singles Final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Casper Ruud of Norway at the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 11, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Birmingham City v Leeds United - Sky Bet Championship BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Tom Brady, Former NFL Quarterback looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Leeds United at St Andrews (stadium) on August 12, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images) (Cameron Smith/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Premiere Screening Of Paramount Pictures' "80 For Brady" - Arrivals LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 31: Tom Brady attends the Los Angeles Premiere Screening of Paramount Pictures' "80 For Brady" at Regency Village Theatre on January 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
UFC 285: Gamrot v Turner LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Tom Brady attends the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Ownership stake: Tom Brady bought a minority stake in the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces. ( Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
SPORTS-FBN-DOLPHINS-BRADY-MI Tom Brady delivering keynote remarks at eMerge Americas 2023 in the Miami Beach Convention Center on April 20, 2023. (Jose A. Iglesias/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick congratulates quarterback Tom Brady after win over San Diego Chargers New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick (L) congratulates Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the Patriots defeated the San Diego Chargers during their AFC Divisional NFL playoff football game in San Diego, January 14, 2007. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) - GM1DUJTNTZAA
Tom Brady Tom Brady poses at the premiere of the film "80 for Brady," Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Tom Brady, Robert Kraft Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with team owner Robert Kraft at University of Phoenix Stadium after winning Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images, File)
AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with owner Robert Kraft after winning the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 shakes the hand of owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 27: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game between the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
FILES-AMFOOT-NFL-BUCCANEERS-BRADY (FILES) In this file photo taken on February 05, 2017, Tom Brady, #12 of the New England Patriots, holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. - Seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady will retire after 22 NFL seasons, according to multiple US media reports on January 29, 2022. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
AFC Championship - New England Patriots v Kansas City Chiefs KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with nn32#2 after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 37-31. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Practice TEMPE, AZ - JANUARY 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up with teammates Rob Gronkowski #87 and Julian Edelman #11 during the New England Patriots Super Bowl XLIX Practice on January 29, 2015 at the Arizona Cardinals Practice Facility in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Tom Brady, Bill Belichick FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots' Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy beside coach Bill Belichick, right, after the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime at the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game in Houston. A new book and a movie are in the works about Brady and the suspension he overcame to earn an unprecedented fifth Super Bowl ring. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Tom Brady: What you need to know
2017 Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Tom Brady New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field after losing an NFL wild-card playoff football game to the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
NFL: AFC Championship-Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots Jan 21, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) and wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) celebrate as confetti flies after the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports - 10557977
Through the years GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Rob Gronkowski #87 (L) and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrate while holding up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Through the years BOSTON, MA - APRIL 3: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Tom Brady #12 after stealing his jersey before the opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on April 3, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Ben Roethlisberger FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 8: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Pittsburg Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shake hands after the Patriots defeated the Steelers 33-3 at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Sept. 8, 2019. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe /Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Through the years Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the Patriots defeated the Packers 31-17 at Gillette Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Tom Brady Football: New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (12) and Rob Gronkowski (87) victorious after scoring touchdown during game vs Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indianapolis, IN 11/16/2014
CREDIT: David E. Klutho (Photo by David E. Klutho /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X158945 TK1 ) (David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima)
Tom Brady TOPSHOT - Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 after overtime. / AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Brady NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES: New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick (R) after their win over the St. Louis Rams 03 February, 2002 in Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17 for the NFL championship. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) (JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Brady FOXBORO, UNITED STATES: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (C) takes a hit from Charles Woodson (R) of the Oakland Raiders on a pass attempt in the last two minutes of the game in their AFC playoff 19 January 2002 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 16-13 in overtime. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) (MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Brady FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2012, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates his 19-yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Denver Broncos in Foxborough, Mass. Brady had one of his most prolific playoff games at home on Jan. 14, 2012, when he and the Patriots ended Tebow Mania. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) (Elise Amendola/AP)
Tom Brady FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown catch from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass. Brady has engineered nine fourth-quarter comebacks in the playoffs but just four of those came at home. Perhaps the most memorable of those New England comebacks outside of the Tuck Rule game, game on Jan. 10, 2015, against Baltimore. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) (Elise Amendola/AP)
Tom Brady phone (Foxboro, MA, 01/30/17) Patriots QB Tom Brady uses his phone to record screaming fans during a rally at Gillette Stadium before the team travels to Houston for the Super Bowl on Monday, January 30, 2017 Staff photo by Matt Stone (Photo by Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) (MediaNews Group/Boston Herald vi/MediaNews Group via Getty Images)
Tom Brady with Best Buddies (Best Buddies International)
Tom Brady with Best Buddies (Best Buddies International)
Tom Brady with Best Buddies (Best Buddies International)
If you want to see the GOAT’s goodbye in person, the price of admission will cost a pretty penny. Week 1 tickets for the Patriots-Eagles are the hottest in the NFL, selling at an average price of $702, according to Vivid Seats. That’s +663% more in demand than Peyton Manning’s retirement ceremony in 2017, data shows.
But if you are unable to make the game in person, the team announced the ceremony will also be streamed live on Patriots.com and the Patriots official Facebook, X, and YouTube pages.
Brady last appeared in Gillette Stadium in October 2021 as a member of the Tampa Buccaneers, winning 19-17 over the Patriots.