01 April 2024 , 03:59
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The New England Patriots are planning a special night for one of their biggest stars, Tom Brady. They're going to induct him into the Patriots Hall of Fame at Gillette Stadium on June 12 at 7 p.m. ET.
ESPN's Mike Reiss says that New England is pulling out all the stops for this unique event. He compares it to "Larry Bird Night" back in February 1993.
That was a sold-out retirement party for the Boston Celtics legend, complete with special keepsakes, visits from old teammates and a heartfelt farewell from Bird himself.
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Usually, players have to wait four years before they can be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. But team owner Robert Kraft made an exception for Brady, reports the Mirror US.
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The 46-year-old spent most of his career in New England, bringing the franchise lots of success as their starting quarterback.
Patriots season ticket holders will get the first chance to buy tickets to the ceremony at a special rate starting next week. If there are any seats left after the presale ends on April 12, they'll be offered to everyone else.
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 10: Former quarterback Tom Brady gives a speech while being honored by the New England Patriots at halftime of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)Despite spending his last three years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady made a name for himself as one of the NFL's greatest players during his 20 seasons with the New England Patriots. He ended his time there with an impressive record of 219 wins and 66 losses over 285 games, bagging six Super Bowls, three regular-season MVP awards and four Super Bowl MVPs.
The Patriots paid tribute to Brady during halftime at their Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles last season. The former sixth-round pick looked back on his time in New England, pledging his lifelong loyalty to the team that first drafted him.
"This is an incredible celebration for me, for our family, for my teammates, for all of us to come back and thank you guys, for what you've done for us," Brady said. "I was so lucky to be drafted here two decades ago - 23 years, to be exact - not even knowing where New England was on the map. And not that we put it on the map, but I think a lot more people in the U.S. know where the New England Patriots play."
"All our lives take us on different journeys," he continued. "They take us to different places, they bring different people into our lives, but one thing that I am sure of - and that will never change - is that I am a Patriot for life."
We'll have to wait and see if this summer's celebrations can top Brady's ceremony from last year.