


The Patriots are planning quite the homecoming for Tom Brady.
The recently retired quarterback, who spent the first 20 years of his career in New England, will be honored at the team’s home opener this season, Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed Thursday on NFL Network.
“I invited him back to be with us at the opening game and let the fans in New England thank him … it will be the beginning of many celebrations to honor Tom Brady,” Kraft said, according to ESPN.
The actual date and time of the game will be unveiled Thursday at 8 p.m. as part of the NFL’s schedule release.
Brady, 45, won the first six Super Bowls of his career with the Patriots, who selected him 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft.
He left New England in 2020 and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March of that year.
In his first season with the Buccaneers, Brady led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl victory over the Chiefs.
Though he returned for the 2021 season, Brady announced his first NFL retirement in February 2022 before walking back on that statement 40 days later.
As Brady embarked on what would be the final season of his career, the quarterback was grappling with challenges off of the field.
Midway through the 2022 season, Brady and his wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, confirmed they had finalized their divorce after 13 years together.
The former couple has two children, son Benjamin, 13, and daughter Vivian, 10.
Brady also co-parents son Jack, 15, with his ex, actress Bridget Moynahan.
The quarterback hung up his cleats for good in February.
Kraft, whose Patriots finished the 2022 season at 8-9 and missed the playoffs, added Thursday how Brady is “very excited to come back.”
“He’s very excited to come back and see our fans. It will be a great, great celebration,” Kraft said.