Tom Brady’s Teammates, Famous Friends and Bosses React to Him Leaving the Patriots

Credit: David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock

Tom Brady’s Teammates, Famous Friends and Bosses React to Him Leaving the Patriots

It’s the end of an era in New England — and Tom Brady’s teammates, famous friends and former bosses are speaking out. The 42-year-old quarterback, who played for the Patriots for 20 seasons, announced he was leaving the team on Tuesday, March 17. “I wanted to say thank you to all of the incredible fans and Patriots supporters. MA 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,” Brady said in a statement shared on Instagram and Twitter. “The support has been overwhelming – I wish every player could experience it. My children were born and raised here and 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.” Brady and wife Gisele Bündchen, who wed in 2009, share two kids: Benjamin, 10, and Vivian, 7. The athlete is also the father to son Jack, 12, whom he shares with ex Bridget Moynahan. The four-time Super Bowl MVP added that he tried to represent the team “in the best and most honorable way” during the last 20 years while fighting “hard with my teammates to help bring victory and triumph even in the most dire situations.” [jwplayer akYasN49] He concluded his statement with a shoutout to the fans. “You opened your heart to me, and I opened my heart to you. And Pats Nation will always be a part of me,” Brady wrote. “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.” Scroll through to see the reactions to Brady’s decision:

Credit: David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock

Tom Brady’s Teammates, Famous Friends and Bosses React to Him Leaving the Patriots

It’s the end of an era in New England — and Tom Brady’s teammates, famous friends and former bosses are speaking out. The 42-year-old quarterback, who played for the Patriots for 20 seasons, announced he was leaving the team on Tuesday, March 17. “I wanted to say thank you to all of the incredible fans and Patriots supporters. MA 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,” Brady said in a statement shared on Instagram and Twitter. “The support has been overwhelming – I wish every player could experience it. My children were born and raised here and 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.” Brady and wife Gisele Bündchen, who wed in 2009, share two kids: Benjamin, 10, and Vivian, 7. The athlete is also the father to son Jack, 12, whom he shares with ex Bridget Moynahan. The four-time Super Bowl MVP added that he tried to represent the team “in the best and most honorable way” during the last 20 years while fighting “hard with my teammates to help bring victory and triumph even in the most dire situations.” [jwplayer akYasN49] He concluded his statement with a shoutout to the fans. “You opened your heart to me, and I opened my heart to you. And Pats Nation will always be a part of me,” Brady wrote. “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.” Scroll through to see the reactions to Brady’s decision:

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Mark Wahlberg

The actor is a diehard Patriots fan. He sent Brady love by leaving six red heart emojis on his post.

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Bill Belichick

The longtime Patriots coach also shared a statement about Brady.

"Tom was not just a player who bought into our program. He was one of its original creators. Tom lived and perpetuated our culture,” Belichick’s statement read. “On a daily basis, he was a tone setter and a bar raiser. He won championships in three of his first four years on the field and in three of his final six seasons with us, while competing for championships in most every season in between. This is a credit to Tom's consistency and what separates him. He didn't just perform. He didn't just win. He won championships over and over again. Tom and I will always have a great relationship built on love, admiration, respect and appreciation. Tom's success as a player and his character as a person are exceptional. Nothing about the end of Tom's Patriots career changes how unfathomably spectacular it was. With his relentless competitiveness and longevity, he earned everyone's adoration and will be celebrated forever. It has been a privilege to coach Tom Brady for 20 years.”

Belichick added that the examples of Brady’s “greatness are limitless, going back even before he was drafted.” 

“We witnessed how he prepared when he wasn't playing, how he performed when he got his opportunity, what he did to continuously improve, his leadership, his mindset, the example he set, and, of course, the person he is. I am extremely grateful for what he did for our team and for me personally,” he said. "Sometimes in life, it takes some time to pass before truly appreciating something or someone but that has not been the case with Tom. He is a special person and the greatest quarterback of all-time."

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David Beckham

“🐐 The Journey continues @tombrady 🏈,” Beckham commented.

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Kevin Durant

“Blessings champ. Can’t wait to watch the next chapter,” the NBA pro wrote.

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Jarrett Stidham

Stidham was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the NFL draft in 2019. “Love you brother! Thank you for everything,” the former Auburn quarterback commented. 

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Robert Kraft

The Patriots chairman and CEO released a lengthy statement about Brady.

"How do I possibly sum up the depth of my gratitude to Tom Brady for what he's given us these past 20 years, or the sadness I feel knowing it's ending? I love Tom like a son and I always will,” Craft said. “He has brought so much happiness to me personally and to all of our fans. I had hoped this day would never come, but rather that Tom would end his remarkable career in a Patriots uniform after yet another Super Bowl championship. Unfortunately, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement to allow that dream to become a reality. While sad today, the overwhelming feeling I have is appreciation for his countless contributions to our team and community.”

His statement continued: "When Tom arrived in New England as an unheralded, sixth-round pick, no one could have imagined the fairytale story that would be written, the records that would be broken or the joy he would bring to an entire region. He leaves 20 years later as the winningest quarterback in NFL history with six Super Bowl victories, nine AFC titles and 17 division championships. He has been an exemplary teammate and leader. There simply will never be another Tom Brady. I now look forward to the day we can bring him back home to New England to celebrate his Patriots career, his endless achievements and his legacy as the greatest of all time. I love him very much."

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Patrick Chung

“Don’t worry about anything but you and your family boss! It’s been a pleasure man,” the Patriots strong safety wrote. “Thank you for being you. Not even the QB but just the man you are. You’re wife and kids have a amazing person to call their father and husband. Until we meet again boss!”

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Lonie Paxton

The former Patriots long snapper wrote, “The greatest teammate, leader and competitor of our generation...and 1 hell of a friend as well. #family.”

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Deion Sanders

The retired NFL player commented, “Pure Class!💯” 

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Antonio Brown

Brown, who signed with the Patriots in 2019, summed it up with on emoji: “🐐.”

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Josh Gordon

“It was an honor & privilege to even sit next to you big homie. Thank you for everything,” the former Patriots wide receiver wrote.