How to Watch Tom Brady's New England Patriots Ceremony

Tom Brady will return to Foxborough, Massachusetts for a halftime ceremony during the New England Patriots' game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

When discussing the modern legends of the NFL, it's impossible to overlook the immense impact of Tom Brady. While he may have had his fair share of critics among opposing fans, his influence on the game cannot be denied. If one were to measure greatness by championship rings, Brady undoubtedly sits at the pinnacle.

Although he eventually made his way to Tampa Bay, the majority of Brady's success came during his tenure with the New England Patriots. Now that he has officially retired, he can return to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to receive the recognition he so rightfully deserves.

Whether you are a die-hard Patriots fan or simply appreciate the mark Brady has left on professional football, there are plenty of reasons to tune into the Patriots' ceremony honoring him.

To kick off Week 1 of the NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions took the field on Thursday night. However, the majority of the games will be played on Sunday, September 10. The Patriots will host the Philadelphia Eagles at 4:25 p.m. ET that afternoon.

This game will mark Brady's first time back in Foxborough as a fan. After spending the majority of his career with the Patriots, he made the move to Tampa Bay in 2021.

Throughout his NFL career, Brady was known for his unwavering focus on the next game and his refusal to loosen up. However, there were moments when this facade cracked, such as when he celebrated the Buccaneers' Super Bowl victory. In retirement, he has spoken candidly about his return to Gillette Stadium.

Brady expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to return to Foxborough, stating, "It was such a kind gesture by RKK [Robert Kraft], who I've been in touch with since the season ended. We've always had a great relationship. From the moment that I stepped foot in Foxborough, I've cherished that opportunity, and I've always felt like I've been a member of that organization. I know my football journey took me to Tampa for three years, which I absolutely loved. And when that ended, I had an opportunity to really reconnect with RKK on a personal level."

He also emphasized the chance to enjoy the experience without the pressure of winning a football game, saying, "He thought this was something that the fans would really enjoy. Obviously, I want to go back there and see the fans. See my teammates. I went back there one time, it was in an opposing uniform, which was a different type of welcoming. Although people were very polite, and I had a great experience. To be able to go back there in a different frame of mind, a less competitive frame of mind, and I'm always pulling for the Patriots. It's been a great organization. I've got so many friends there still. My kids were born in Boston. I have so many incredible memories of my time there, and it's a great gesture by the organization."

During a podcast appearance, Brady echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the opportunity to create a new memory in a place he holds dear. He stated, "I had two decades of incredible life-altering experiences. I have so many memories from my time there. I'm creating a new memory with the people there and to go back to that stadium and bring my kids and my family in a different way, you know. I haven't been to that stadium in this way ever."

Given that we are discussing the return of an all-time NFL player to the site of his greatest successes, it is safe to assume that meticulous planning has gone into the event. However, very few details have been made public.

According to Jim Nolan, COO of Kraft Sports & Entertainment, the ceremony will take place during halftime. Fans can expect to see Brady somewhere on the field before the game as well. Beyond that, not much else has been revealed.

Robert Kraft has promised that they will do something special and unique for Brady during the ceremony. Former Patriots cornerback Ty Law hinted at a gathering of former players, saying, "Everybody's coming to town. A lot of the guys are coming in."

While the Patriots vs. Eagles game may not be nationally televised, fans can still witness the Brady ceremony. The event will be live streamed on the Patriots' website, as well as on YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Throughout his NFL career, Brady faced criticism from opposing fans. However, his legendary tenure in Foxborough cannot be overlooked. Over 20 seasons in the AFC, Brady started 283 regular-season games, winning 219 of them. He amassed 6,377 completions and 74,571 passing yards, with 541 touchdown passes. And that's not even taking into account his remarkable postseason accomplishments.

What makes Brady's journey even more impressive is that he was not a highly touted prospect coming out of college. As the 199th overall pick, he was not expected to do much more than hold a clipboard, if he even made the roster. To rise from that position to become one of the greatest, if not the greatest, NFL quarterbacks of all time, is truly deserving of a halftime ceremony.