FOXBORO, MASS. (WHDH) - (WHDH) — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued a statement on the retirement of seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, saying it was “a privilege to watch” the 22-year veteran play.
Brady and Kraft both described their relationship as more father and son than team owner and player.
“I have the greatest respect for Tom personally and always will…..I will always feel a close bond to him and will always consider him an extension of my immediate family,” Kraft wrote in a statement following the former QB’s retirement.
Kraft has often told the story of how Brady introduced himself after the team drafted him in the sixth round. He told Kraft “Hi, I’m Tom Brady and I’m the best decision this organization has ever made.”
Brady countered that he told Kraft simply “you’ll never regret picking me.”
Both statements turned out true.
Brady led Kraft’s team to six Super Bowl wins and established the Patriots as one of the league’s most valuable franchises.
Kraft reportedly stood by his star quarterback when Coach Belichick wanted to move on at QB to Jimmy Garappolo. Instead, it was Garoppolo who was traded.
Two years later, when a 41-year-old Brady was looking for another contract extension it was Kraft who relented and allowed the quarterback he considered nearly a son to move on.
Brady moved on to win another Super Bowl with Tampa Bay but he and NFL continued to speak of their relationship as a special one that transcended sports.
After Brady’s retirement announcement, Kraft wrote: “Words cannot describe the feelings I have for Tom Brady, nor adequately express the gratitude my family, the New England Patriots and our fans have for tom for all he did during his career.”
Read Kraft’s full message below:
Words cannot describe the feelings I have for Tom Brady, nor adequately express the gratitude my family, the New England Patriots and our fans have for Tom for all he did during his career. A generation of football fans have grown up knowing only an NFL in which Tom Brady dominated. He retires with nearly every NFL career passing record, yet the only one that ever mattered to him was the team’s win-loss record. In his 20 years as a starter his teams qualified for the playoffs 19 times. He led his teams to 10 Super Bowls, winning an NFL-record seven championships. In a team sport like football, it is rare to see an individual have such a dominant impact on a team’s success. You didn’t have to be a Patriots fan to respect and appreciate his competitiveness, determination and will to win that fueled his success. As a fan of football, it was a privilege to watch. As a Patriots fan, it was a dream come true.
I have the greatest respect for Tom personally and always will. His humility, coupled with his drive and ambition, truly made him special. I will always feel a close bond to him and will always consider him an extension of my immediate family.
Robert Kraft
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