Thank You, Tom

[ifmanis5]

Figured he deserved one of these.




We had none before he got here. Thanks, man.

Some highlight reels for the feels:

View: https://youtu.be/8ULZ7UNySTo

View: https://youtu.be/If0cBFokr00

View: https://youtu.be/MjV2kd3wRJo

https://www.patriots.com/video/tom-brady-s-top-40-plays-302681

 

[Kliq]

Tom Brady has been the starting QB for the Patriots since I was 7 years old, or when I just started second grade. I'm 25 now, three years out of college. Tom has been the QB for my favorite sports team for every single season I can really remember. It isn't an exaggeration that Tom Brady and Football have been synonymous with me my entire life.

I'm not upset at all about the circumstances of today. Brady could have retired ten years ago, and he would have been the greatest Patriot of all time. As fans we got so, so much more out of Brady than could ever be expected. I can't believe I got to root for him all through college (picking up a few titles along the way) and into my adult life. As @Zososoxfan said in another thread, I feel like I just finished an amazing book, not that I lost a dear friend. It will be interesting to see where the Patriots go from here and who the next QB is going to be. If the Pats falter next year, I'll glue myself to every Brady game and be pulling for him the entire time.

 

[ifmanis5]

It will be insane to see him in another uniform. I gave my loyalty to Tom when Bledsoe was forced to play against the Steelers in the 2001 AFC Championship Game. Bledsoe escaped that day but his two handed, no-look back to the field of play pass to nowhere confirmed by faith in Brady. Never looked back. I wish Tom all the best.

 

[BornToRun]

Thanks for everything, Tom. If it can’t be the Pats then I hope it’s you raising the trophy next year. Godspeed and keep kicking ass.

 

[Mueller's Twin Grannies]

My cat passed on 2/7, just before 1AM. She was born in April 2001, and so effectively lived during the entire Patriots dynasty, in some way, shape, form, or fashion. The entire time she was alive, Tom Brady was the starting QB for the Patriots (except that one year where he got hurt and missed a few games, but we don't like to talk about that year). As such, this feels oddly right... but, like it did on that day, it sucks big time and life will not be the same.

Thank you, Tom, for everything and more. Your jersey will always have a place of honor in my home.

 

[Ale Xander]

Tom thanks for the NINE super bowl appearances. There are college students who have not known any other starting Pats QB (sorry MC).

Hope you go 0-16 next year and BB goes 19-0.

 

[heavyde050]

Best QB ever and had the privilege to watch him play for my favorite team.
Best of luck Tom and thanks for all the memories.

 

[johnmd20]

My favorite athlete of all time. And I'm 47 years old. That is the impact he had on my life.

I'm sorry he's leaving, but it's been quite a ride. There is nobody who has done it better. And I have no ill will towards him making this decision. But seeing him in another uniform is like Johnny Damon and Wade Boggs combined, times 80 million.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

It's been said before on these threads, but Tom literally had two HOF careers. 2001 - 2009 TB12 is a HOFer easily. 2010-2019 TB12 is as well. It's remarkable and we'll never see another athlete like him again.

It's been an unbelievable ride, better than anyone could have ever hoped for. Thanks Tom.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Like many of you, I've watched Grogan, Eason, Hodson, Zolak, Testaverde, Bledsoe, and a bunch more before Brady ever put on a Patriots uniform.

This really has been an incredible gift that Brady has given me and the rest of the fandom. There were so many incredible moments that it's difficult to remember 1/10th (or 3/28th) of it all.

Once again, I feel very lucky to be a Patriots AND a Tom Brady fan today.

Thank you, the true GOAT.

 

[boxosII]

Russell, Ted, Orr and Brady

 

[Ferm Sheller]

He was drafted the month after I turned 30 and I turn 50 in two days. It's just crazy that he was that good for that long (and still might have some gas in the tank for who knows how long). What a ride!

 

[tims4wins]

Like many of you, I've watched Grogan, Eason, Hodson, Zolak, Testaverde, Bledsoe, and a bunch more before Brady ever put on a Patriots uniform.

This really has been an incredible gift that Brady has given me and the rest of the fandom. There were so many incredible moments that it's difficult to remember 1/10th (or 3/28th) of it all.

Once again, I feel very lucky to be a Patriots AND a Tom Brady fan today.

Thank you, the true GOAT.

Nitpick but Vinny never played for the Pats pre Brady.

 

[The Social Chair]

Thank you for making the time between 9/11 and Covid-19 much more enjoyable.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Like many of you, I've watched Grogan, Eason, Hodson, Zolak, Testaverde, Bledsoe, and a bunch more before Brady ever put on a Patriots uniform.

One of these things is not like the other.

 

[Beomoose]

Have a hard time putting the last couple decades to words. Thank you for everything, Tommy. Super sad it couldn't be wire-to-wire, but here's to ya.

 

[Import78]

I thought about starting this thread, but I couldn't figure out how. It's rare that any player is around for 20 years and even most of our thank you threads are pretty long on moments. I was sure I couldn't do this one justice. It will take a while. I guess I'd like to say thanks for everything but that is too vague. I'll just settle for saying thanks being so good I never felt like we were out of a game until the clock read 0:00.

I'll miss Brady, but he has more than earned the right to do anything in the world of sports without me being upset by it.

 

[bankshot1]

We were priviledged to watch the best that ever was, at arguably the most demanding position in sport, for two decades.

How do you adequately thank the guy who brought you fun and so much excitement, so much joy, and so many championships.

He made our lives better.

It sounds dumb but its true.

So thanks Tom you were special and you will be missed by millions.

 

[tims4wins]

We were priviledged to watch the best that ever was, at arguably the most demanding position in sport, for two decades.

How do you adequately thank the guy who brought you fun and so much excitement, so much joy, and so many championships.

He made our lives better.

It sounds dumb but its true.

So thanks Tom you were special and you will be missed by millions.

This. He made our lives better.

 

[bluefenderstrat]

Now this is a Thank You thread I can get behind. It was "us vs the World" for 20 years, and Tom (plus Bill) made it 50-50.

 

[Bowhemian]

We were priviledged to watch the best that ever was, at arguably the most demanding position in sport, for two decades.

How do you adequately thank the guy who brought you fun and so much excitement, so much joy, and so many championships.

He made our lives better.

It sounds dumb but its true.

So thanks Tom you were special and you will be missed by millions.

Perfectly said.

 

[Pablo's TB Lover]

Silly me, I was thinking in the 1990s that no other local athletes would approach Bill Russell and Larry Bird for me. The fact that Brady could even approach the magnitude of winning of Russell's winning in a modern NFL with 30 teams and salary cap, is nothing short of stunning. Can't even put into words what Tom meant to my sports experience. And we have seen how Tom's leadership and the "Patriot Way" rubs off on other Boston athletes throughout his tenure.

 

[RG33]

I feel like a “Thank you, Tom” thread in Blinded by the Lombardis is almost insulting for TB12.

Can we rename the Forum something creative that honors Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.?

We’re On to the Next GOAT?

I’m not creative, but somebody can come up with something better perhaps?

 

[Preacher]

View: https://youtu.be/I0jubopLkE8

 

[nolasoxfan]

Never thought I would have to post in a thread bearing this title. Saying that I am at a loss for words is an understatement. Thank you, Tom. Sorry it ended this way.

 

[Bergs]

I am too old to care this much about a guy who didn't start playing until I was 30. This sucks.

 

[chilidawg]

Great thread, it's been an amazing run. Watching those highlights makes you remember what a crazy run it was, all those last second victories (and defeats). So much could have turned out differently so easily, but it didn't.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

I feel like a “Thank you, Tom” thread in Blinded by the Lombardis is almost insulting for TB12.

Can we rename the Forum something creative that honors Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.?

We’re On to the Next GOAT?

I’m not creative, but somebody can come up with something better perhaps?

Interesting suggestion. However, I think Brady's Brady but not bigger than the team we root for.

 

[MICHAELG63]

I am 57 and recall the Plunkett era of the Patriots and have watched the last 20 years of the Patriots with such amazement, that we as fans could witness something truly magical from TB12. From the bottom of my heart thank you Tom, and may nothing but success and good health follow you until you return to Foxboro for your number ceremony. God Bless

 

[Greenfielder]

I wish him nothing but happiness and success (unless playing the Pats) including one or two more Super Bowls. Thanks Tom, for an amazing and historic 20 years!!

 

[Preacher]

View: https://youtu.be/uwfRYB1_xPM

 

[Ralphwiggum]

I am too old to care this much about a guy who didn't start playing until I was 30. This sucks.

I was 28. Same exact sentiment.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Also agree with this:

View: https://twitter.com/chatham58/status/1239908499280269312?s=21

 

[Granite Sox]

Incomparable. Sui generis.

He broke the mold for what it takes and what means to win in modern professional sports.

To call him a legend is not hyperbole in any way.

He’s the greatest.

Thank you, Tom.

 

[mauidano]

Also agree with this:

View: https://twitter.com/chatham58/status/1239908499280269312?s=21

Perfectly framed. Good luck my man.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Lots of good thoughts in this thread.

Thanks to Tom for walking the walk for twenty years. The focus and the commitment to his craft is incomparable. If Joe Montana and Peyton Manning had a baby, they would cross their fingers and hope that kid would grow up to be Tom Brady. It has been a pleasure to watch him work. I wish him the best of luck.

 

[Preacher]

It’s interesting to think back on his career with the Patriots compared to where I was in my life. I remember watching the Tuck Rule game in my dorm room my sophomore year of college. SB XXXVIII, I was at a friend’s apartment as a senior. I always made it a point to watch games live if I could. I’ve watched Patriots games starring Tom Brady from Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, even Malta, and I’m not sure where else. This whole thing is a bit of a gut punch with him not retiring as a Patriot. And to think of all the phases of my life I’ve gone through. I graduated college. I graduated law school. I started working. I met my wife. I got an LL.M. My parents bought season tickets when Parcells was brought in. I took them over last year. I thank Tom for all he has done.

 

[snowmanny]

There a lot of people who have walked this earth contemporaneously with me who I never met but nevertheless brought me great joy.....and the top 3 are Lennon, McCartney, and Brady.

Brady has been the best and the easiest athlete to root for. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to watch him every week.

And I don't know how one measures the mental aspect of being a great athlete, but I'm pretty sure no athlete ever topped him. Preparation, decision-making, leadership, performance under pressure, etc: none better. I don't know who might be close to being equal...Woods? Russell? Jordan? Maybe.

But none better.

 

[DourDoerr]

Steve and his family moved into the house next door during the 2001 season and we started watching Patriots games together at my house. He wasn't a Pats fan at the time, but that season's run pulled him in and he and I would go on to miss just 1 game of Tom Brady's career - right up until Steve died of cancer early this past season. It's odd to think that a football player can have a big impact on one's life, but there it is. Tom's excellence created moments of shared joy that cemented a bond between Steve and I that went beyond football fandom. So, thank you Tom. For the wins, for the Super Bowls, for the best friend.

 

[azsoxpatsfan]

One of my first memories is watching him beat the panthers in the super bowl. I was 5. I love him more than I’ve ever loved any person or thing out or my immediate family. I cannot fathom him in another uniform. I will not watch football anymore.

the closest moments I’ve ever had with my dad have been because of him. All of my best memories with my dad are because of him. A lot of people don’t seem to know how badly this hurts. I understand a lot of people have worse stuff going on. There will never be another Brady. This feeling is worse than any feeling I’ve had before

 

[BornToRun]

On a more humorous note, I’d like to share with you all the words my father, a Dolphins fan, spoke to me after the clock hit 0:00 in Super Bowl 53 and clinched Tom’s 6th championship.

“Congratulations, I guess. Getting real tired of this shit.”

 

[mikeot]

Russell, Ted, Orr and Brady

Yep.

 

[Preacher]

View: https://twitter.com/edelman11/status/1240043811293839361?s=21

 

[SpinnersRock]

The greatest QB of all time and thank you for the 20 years. Simply amazing run of excellence and championships that will never be repeated. Very sad to see it end this way. I’m 56 years old and I remember the days before Bill & Tom. They both changed the course of football history. I look forward to the retirement ceremony and Canton. TB? Sigh ....

 

[grsharky7]

I was 18 and freshman in college when this run started and now I'm 36. Brady was the last link to the innocent and care free time in my life. I think of everything that has changed since 2001 and for all of us there have been tons of big changes. He has been the constant through relationships, jobs, moves, and everything in between. Thanks for the countless memories and making every Sunday in the fall meaningful. He never took a snap for the New England Patriots where they were out of contention, I know that is a team achievement but it is not possible without him. I wish he would've ended his career with the Pats but in the end the stars didn't align. Nobody is too blame, sometimes things just end because they're destined too. Thanks Tom!

 

[Marty’s Beret]

Thanks Tom - it's been such a historically great run - something we will probably never witness again. The story of pick #199 to GOAT is so classic and fairy-tale like. There were certainly some heartbreaking SB losses, but (a) they were SUPER BOWL losses (how many fans don't even have those in their lifetimes) and (b) they only made the subsequent SB victories even sweeter. We, as NE fans have been absolutely SPOILED for 20 years (Super Bowl or BUST!). The first one and the comeback were something absolutely terrific to witness.

BTW SOSHers - David Frigging Price has 55 replies in his "Thank You" thread to date - I know SOSH is first and foremost a baseball forum and not all Thank You DP replies are legitimate "thank yous", but c'mon.

 

[BaseballJones]

Thanks Tom - it's been such a historically great run - something we will probably never witness again. The story of pick #199 to GOAT is so classic and fairy-tale like. There were certainly some heartbreaking SB losses, but (a) they were SUPER BOWL losses (how many fans don't even have those in their lifetimes) and (b) they only made the subsequent SB victories even sweeter. We, as NE fans have been absolutely SPOILED for 20 years (Super Bowl or BUST!). The first one and the comeback were something absolutely terrific to witness.

BTW SOSHers - David Frigging Price has 55 replies in his "Thank You" thread to date - I know SOSH is first and foremost a baseball forum and not all Thank You DP replies are legitimate "thank yous", but c'mon.

Honestly, for me, it's impossible to put into adequate words what Brady has meant to me as a sports fan. I was born in 1969 and lived through the absolutely godawful days when the Patriots were maybe the worst franchise in all of major professional sports. Pedro is my all-time favorite athlete, but for anyone in my sports world to be put in the same conversation as Pedro is the highest praise I can offer an athlete. But even I - with how elevated Pedro is to me - recognize clearly that Brady has meant FAR more to Boston sports than Pedro ever did. Twenty years with the Pats. Nine Super Bowls. Six Lombardis. Just way too many memories to even recall. Never saw an athlete do it so well for so long with such class. That's why I guess I was so personally offended during Deflategate, and why I wrote that long-ass paper on the topic - because given who Brady is, I just couldn't believe the NFL was trying to derail him. It was an affront to everything we hope sports to be.

He's not flawless (but he appears to be a really good person). But damn if he isn't at the very top of what it means to be a great athlete and role model.

Even typing this out seems WAY too inadequate, so I'll stop here. It's just been an immense privilege rooting for this guy and the team he led for so long. Words just don't do it justice.

 

[SMU_Sox]

I have owned 4-5 different Brady jerseys in my lifetime. To me that says it all. There is no athlete I have loved more or been more a part of my life than Tom. He's been the starting QB since I was 15 years old. The only other QB I remember watching in a Pats uniform before Tom was Drew. Thank you doesn't begin to cover it. He is the GOAT. How does one adequately thank him? Should I sacrifice one of my sons? This ending is still too strange/sad for me to fully process.

No one will ever be as good as he has been. Thanking him on a message board feels like signing a corporate retirement card for the guy you worked with for 25+ years. Tom Brady leaving is the saddest sports related event that has occurred the second being black Sunday. I am going to follow him in Tampa Bay. My hope is that in 2 years we see Pats vs Bucs in the SB. I'd say this year but with the roster the way it is they have no chance.

 

[streeter88]

Thanking him on a message board feels like signing a corporate retirement card for the guy you worked with for 25+ years.

This is the best line I have ever seen on one of these "thank you" threads. I agree.

Edit: And there really isn't much more to say, as I posted my thoughts in another thread. I got married on the day of his first start. Heckuva ride on both fronts. Still married. Tom's gone. 6 SB wins. Two kids. Awesome.

 

[deythur]

Someone on Twitter had this to say and I happily stole it:

Remember how elated you were when your favorite team caught lightning in a bottle for that one game, or for that playoff run leading up to a big win? (I’m looking at you Cleveland)
Now imagine having that same feeling last for 2 decades. That's what it was like watching Tom Brady on the Patriots.

Having a few days to let this sink in has really helped. I wanted one more ring and thought they could run it back healthy this year and get it. I would have been happy to have him walk away after that. I really wanted Tommy back for one last ride. Now i'm feeling more ok with it because it has been an amazing 20 years.

Tom and the Patriots have brought me closer to my family. My brother and I go to a game every year. Front row 50 yard line. Amazing. My grandmothers final days and the last time i saw her she had her Patriots blanket. My grandfather still has a framed pictured of Brady in his assisted living apartment. Nothing irritates my mother more than calls that go against the Patriots or if anyone tries to talk shit about them.

They have kept me in touch with people all around the world that I otherwise probably wouldn't still chat with. I have group chats that are only used for Patriots talk.These are the things I worry will fade away as we come back down to earth.

I want to thank Tom Brady for making my life better and for bringing happiness and joy to the people of New England. I miss him already and I can't wait for his return to Foxborough and his entry to the HOF.