The Patriots had a series of surprises for Tom Brady on Wednesday night when they inducted him into the franchise Hall of Fame before a crowd of 60,000 at Gillette Stadium.
The biggest surprise came when owner Robert Kraft ended the night by announcing that the franchise will retire the number 12 that Brady wore during 20 seasons with the team.
As the 35th inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame, Brady has a red Hall of Fame jacket to wear instead.
“There is only one iconic number that will represent Tom Brady,” said owner Robert Kraft. “And tonight, I promise I will never use it again. The number 12 is now officially retired.”
The Patriots will also erect a 12-foot bronze statue of Brady in the plaza outside the team’s Hall of Fame and Pro Shop.
Brady won six Super Bowls with the Patriots before leaving and winning a seventh in the first of his three seasons in Tampa.
He ended his speech by saying, “I’m Tom Brady and I’m a patriot.”