Local officials, former teammates react to Tom Brady’s decision to leave Patriots

FOXBORO, MASS. (WHDH) - An unprecedented run of success that brought six Super Bowl championships to New England over the course of two decades came to end Tuesday when future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady announced that he would be leaving the Patriots to start the next chapter of his “football journey.”

The 42-year-old posted a heartfelt message on social media in which he thanked the Patriots and the fans, stating that he will be “FOREVER A PATRIOT.”

The shocking news drew reaction from state and city officials, including Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Congressman Seth Moulton.

“Thank you, @TomBrady, for everything you did for #patsnation on and off the field. You will always have a home in #Boston and a special place in all of our hearts.” Walsh said in a tweet.

Moulton added, “Thank you, Tom, for so many years of Patriots glory.”

Julian Edelman, one of Brady’s favorite passing targets over the years, reacted to the news by tweeting, “Family.”

Edelman caught hundreds of passes from Brady over the years, connecting for more than 30 touchdowns in 10 seasons together.

A former teammate of Brady’s and fellow Super Bowl champion, Darrelle Revis, reflected on the unparalleled intensity that the three-time NFL MVP brought to the practice field each day.

“Practice against Tom Brady every day was like playing on the 92’ Dream Team. He brought that much intensity to the practice field. Whichever team he lands I’m sure he will continue his legacy of playing a great brand of football,” Revis said in a Tweet.

During his time in New England, Brady led the Patriots to nine Super Bowls and captured 17 AFC titles along the way. He won 77 percent of the games he started.

In a tweet, ESPN reporter Field Yates called Brady the “greatest to ever do it.”

It’s not yet clear where Brady will play in 2020 but several reports indicate that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers have emerged as likely landing spots.

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