Tom Brady leaves New England Patriots after 20 NFL seasons to continue football journey 'elsewhere'
Tom Brady has just announced he's leaving the New England Patriots to continue his football journey some "place elsewhere.”
The world-famous quarterback made the announcement on his Instagram account Tuesday after 20 seasons and six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots.
“To all my teammates, coaches, executives and staff, Coach Belichick, RKK, and the Kraft family and the entire organization. I want to say thank you for the past twenty years of my life and the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning culture built on great values," he began. "I am grateful for all that you have taught me – I have learned from everyone."
"You all have allowed me to maximize my potential and that is all a player can hope for," Brady acknowledged. "Everything we have accomplished brings me great joy and the lessons I have learned will carry on with me forever. I couldn’t be the man I am today without the relationships you have allowed me to build with you. I have benefited from all you have given me. I cherished every opportunity I had to be a part of our team, and I love you all for that. Our team has always set a great standard in pro sports and I know it will continue to do just that."
“Although my football journey will take play elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible TEAM accomplishments. I have been privileged to have the opportunity to know each and every one of you, and to have the memories we’ve created together," he added.
The post was titled, “FOREVER A PATRIOT.”
Brady was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the NFL Draft out of Michigan in 2000 and started for the team in his second season after Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury. The rest, of course, is history.
The skilled athlete secured the NFL MVP award three times with the Patriots and was selected 14 times to the Pro Bowl, becoming an All-Pro three times. In 2009, he was named AP Comeback Player of the Year and won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in 2007 and 2010, according to a report by Fox News.