For the first time this century, Tom Brady isn’t preparing to play football this fall. However, the recently retired quarterback will return to Gillette Stadium this weekend.
The New England Patriots welcome back Brady for their Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Brady is excited to visit Foxboro in a new capacity.
On his recent Let’s Go podcast, Brady said he feels a “lot of gratitude” ahead of being honored by his longtime NFL organization.
“I had two decades of incredible, life-altering experiences. I have so many memories from my time there and memories with people there, and I’m creating a new memory with the people there,” Brady said, via Pro Football Talk. “To go back to that stadium and bring my kids and my family in a different way, you know, I’ve not been to that stadium in this way ever.”
He’s ready to return as a fan and anticipated eventually going to Gillette as a broadcaster when joining the FOX booth in 2024.
“I love the sport and I love the Patriots, so going up there to see a lot of my friends and family is gonna be really a great experience,” Brady added.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced the invitation in May. He called it “the beginning of many celebrations to honor Tom Brady and say thank you for what he did for us those 20 years.”
Head coach Bill Belichick discussed Brady’s return on Monday.
“It’ll be great to see Tom,” Belichick said. “Tom has meant so much to this team, to this organization, me personally. It was a tremendous experience to be able to coach him.”
Brady finally retired after his 23rd season, and the 46-year-old doesn’t sound interested in another comeback. He’ll instead watch the Pats play the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.