Legendary Tom Brady got emotional while recounting his decision to leave the Patriots

Brady went into Kraft's office to say his goodbyes creating a very emotional moment, ending his 20 year stay with the franchise.

Legendary Tom Brady got emotional while recounting his decision to leave the Patriots

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (Image via IMAGO)

During the recent episode of Apple TV’s The Dynasty: New England Patriots, veteran Patriots owner Robert Kraft opened the Pandora box. And from inside sprung out several unheard stories about Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. One of them included how emotional TB12 was when he told Kraft that he was leaving the team.

After spending 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, Brady concluded that it was finally time to pull the plug on his time with the franchise. Kraft revealed on ‘Dynasty’ how things went down when the four-time Super Bowl MVP came to his office at Foxborough and broke the news.

YouTube video

Tom Brady walked in and told the 82-year-old that he was leaving. Soon after his statement, he became emotional and started crying.

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Kraft said:

As soon as he said it, he started crying.
Robert Kraft said

Then and there, the CEO of the Patriots realized that arguably the greatest period of any NFL franchise was coming to an end.

Kraft added:

His crying told me everything I needed to know.
Robert Kraft went on to add

Tom Brady recounted how things ended for him in New England

Kraft, after hearing Brady’s wish to quit the Patriots, was advised to call Bill Belichick. Because the circle would not be complete without the head coach. He rang Belichick, and following a short conversation, all of them became emotional.

Brady confessed as per People Magazine:

'I think we should call Bill [Belichick],' and when he answered, it was emotional.
Tom Brady said
Legendary Tom Brady got emotional while recounting his decision to leave the Patriots
Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady (Image via IMAGO)

He knew that a massive chapter of not just his life but also the lives associated with the franchise, whether it was Kraft, Belichick, the front office, or even the fans, was coming to a close. But Belichick knew that Brady had made the right choice. 

The 72-year-old said in the episode:

Saying goodbye is always hard. [But] he made the right and best decision.
Robert Kraft said

The Patriots drafted Brady before the 2000 NFL season in the sixth round (199th pick). During his first meeting with Robert Kraft, TB12 told him:

[Drafting him was] the best decision the organization has ever made.
Tom Brady told Robert Kraft

He only helped them win six Super Bowls, 17 AFC East titles, and nine AFC championships. The 46-year-old also bagged numerous individual accolades, including three NFL Bowl MVPs, twice the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, 14 Pro Bowls, and nine All-Pro nods.

Brady’s primary reason, on the surface, for leaving the franchise was a contract dispute. He wanted a deal in the region of $50 million, which the Patriots weren’t willing to provide. However, below the surface, it was his relationship with Belichick, which soured over time, that forced him to move away.

He joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won his seventh Super Bowl ring and the Bucs second (first in 2003). Brady announced his retirement in 2022 following a wildcard exit. Since his departure, the Patriots have been on a downward trajectory, which cost Belichick’s job.

Their 2021 first-round pick, Mac Jones, is no longer with the team after reaching the playoffs in his rookie campaign. They are currently without a designated starter at the center. However, the new head coach Jerod Mayo is making some moves. He re-signed former quarterback Jacoby Brissett and also held the third overall pick in the 2024 draft.

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