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Patriots announce Tom Brady jersey retirement, plans to unveil 12-foot statue

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•06/12/24•

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Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday night, the New England Patriots inducted Tom Brady into the team Hall of Fame. But that’s not the only way the franchise is honoring him.

Owner Robert Kraft announced Brady’s No. 12 jersey has been retired and no Patriot will ever wear it again. In addition, the team petitioned for a 12-foot statue of Brady to go in front of the Hall of Fame with plans to unveil it this season.

Brady won six Super Bowls in New England as part of his decorated career as he went on to become arguably the greatest to ever play the game.

“There is only one iconic number that will always represent Tom Brady,” Kraft said. “And tonight, I promise that it will never be worn again as the No. 12 is now officially retired.”

Brady and Bill Belichick went 249-75 during their time together from 2000-19, bringing six championships back to New England. Rumors and reports swirled about the end of Brady’s time in New England, though, especially regarding his relationship with Belichick. He later ended up in Tampa Bay, where he helped the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl – his seventh – as the Patriots struggled.

The coach was in attendance for Wednesday’s ceremony, and Brady paid tribute to him by noting it was a team effort to string together that much success.

“To Coach Belichick, thank you for your tireless commitment to develop and push me to be my very best,” Brady said. “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t you. It was us. Our hard work, our love of the game and the way we worked for one another – that’s what it was all about.

“Let me make this crystal clear. There is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick.”

Belichick was notably in attendance for Brady’s Netflix Roast last month and got his share of shots in at his former star quarterback. Wednesday wasn’t about poking fun at Brady, though. It was about honoring his career in New England by inducting him into the team Hall of Fame just two years after his retirement – a big difference from the required four years to be eligible.

With a full season of retirement under his belt, Brady is now gearing up for the next step of his football life. He will join FOX Sports as its No. 1 color commentator this season, calling games for the network alongside Kevin Burkhardt.