Patriots send-off rally brought 35K fans and a Brady mic-drop

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — After one of the biggest send-off rallies the Patriots have ever had, the team is heading to Atlanta to take on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

Sunday's celebration brought 35,000 fans to Gillette Stadium, where Tom Brady and the other Patriots' captains, including coach Bill Belichick, pumped up the crowd ahead of their 11th Super Bowl appearance.

The record turnout was a sea of confetti as fans chanted "Beat LA!" and waved signs proclaiming Brady the GOAT.

And before the Patriots hopped off stage to board their buses, Brady busted out into an energetic "we're still here" chant -- and then topped it off with a mic-drop.

Special teams captain Matthew Slater, whose father played for the Rams, said he grew up a Rams fan, "but on Sunday I don't know nothing about no Rams."

Related: Belichick respects everything about Rams

Pats fans were ready to send off their team to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in five years, but for them, this never gets old.

“For the ninth time under the Belichick era, 11th overall, take it while you can because it’s not gonna last forever,” said Tom Smith. “I think that’s good for the fans to see the guys one last hurrah before they get on the bus and hopefully take down the Rams.”

The team held their last practice Saturday at home before taking off for Atlanta. Brady says it’s an experience he never takes for granted.

“Certainly not easy,” Brady said. “I think everyone at this point, you know you’re tired you’re worn down, but at the same time you have one of the great opportunities in your life and this is a memory you’ll have forever, and I really hope we can go out and take advantage of it.”

As TB12 said himself, they've got a plane to catch. And hopefully, a sixth Super Bowl ring.

>>>MORE: Patriots controlling clock, third downs during playoffs

Cox Media Group