Patriots

“There’s only one guy who can really make everybody gravitate back.”

By Sarah Barber, The Boston Globe

June 12, 2024

FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots literally rolled out the red carpet Wednesday to welcome guests to Gillette Stadium for Tom Brady’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Teammates, family, and friends traveled to the Patriots’ home turf to pay homage to Brady, the legendary quarterback who many referred to as even better person. The carpet was buzzing with excitement and joy as players reconnected, some for the first time in years.

The most common response from players when asked why it was important to them to be on hand?

“Because he’s the GOAT.”

“I mean, there’s only one guy who can really make everybody gravitate back,” former cornerback Aqib Talib said. “I’m just excited to see Tom get inducted. Man, of course he was going to get into that. But just to be able to be a part of it is bringing back a lot of memories, being here in Foxborough, so it’s a good time.”

Aside from the Patriots, celebrities in attendance included Boston comedian Bill Burr and musician Jon Bon Jovi.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft spent a significant amount of time on the carpet, talking with the media and posing for photos with his wife, Dana Blumberg, and Brady. Kraft stressed the impact Brady had on his teammates over the two decades he spent as a Patriot.

“There are a few people who came from overseas, but people came from all over America. People who played with him because he was someone when he went in the huddle and spoke, he made average people better and brought out the best at the same time,” Kraft said. “It’s because there’s no other human being I’ve met like him.”

Brady’s parents, Tom Sr. and Galynn, were some of the most sought-after guests on the carpet. Galynn wore a silver “12″ pendant, and was beaming as Tom Sr. spoke about the “solemn” drive to the stadium.

“We were driving down these roads so many times over the last few years,” Tom Sr. said. “It’s really kind of coming to an end right here, the joy that we’ve had, the highs and the lows, friendships. The sight is almost incomprehensible to me.”

Wide receiver Julian Edelman spent 12 seasons with the Patriots, and 11 of those overlapped with Brady.

“He gives you time, he gives you energy,” Edelman said. “He’s a genuine person. Anyone that meets him, you just feel his aura, that’s a really genuine person that is sweet and loving. He’s a killer in between the lines but he’s always been a stand-up dude.”

Rob Gronkowski was the last person to walk the carpet, and aside from some oversized reflective white sunglasses, the tight end didn’t arrive with his usual flair for the dramatic.

“We’re here to just enjoy what he has brought to us over the last 20 years, what he has brought to my life, what he’s brought to everyone’s life here. And that’s just excellence,” Gronkowski said.

Rosevelt Colvin played for the Bears before coming to New England, and the linebacker said he had questions when he arrived.

“As an opponent, I always wondered what it was about him that made him who he was,” Colvin said.

Colvin went on to share his favorite memory with Brady, saying the pair had a little back and forth about how far the QB could throw the ball into the net. Colvin won, and the next day, Brady gave him 100 $1 bills.

There was a sea of red Patriots Hall of Fame jackets on the carpet, including one worn by Matt Light, who protected Brady as his left tackle.

“It’s just a great opportunity for all of us to thank him, be a part of this day with him,” Light said. “And for him, team was everything. And now we’re going to be able to celebrate with them as a team, as decades of teams, because this guy did it for a long time.”