On a special day in June, sports fans, Patriots legends, and celebrities gathered in Foxborough, Massachusetts, to celebrate the extraordinary career of Tom Brady as he was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. Brady’s induction came earlier than the typical four-year wait, recognizing his status as an all-time great of the franchise.

Team owner Robert Kraft announced back in September that the usual grace period would be waived, and Brady would be honored on “6/12,” a date that pays tribute to his iconic number 12 and the six Super Bowl championships he won with the Patriots. Brady arrived an hour before the official ceremony at Gillette Stadium, posing for photos with Kraft and his wife, Dr. Dana Blumberg.

Prior to the ceremony, Brady’s children, Jack, Ben, and Vivian, sent him a heartfelt congratulatory video, teasingly reminding him to stay retired. On the red carpet, Brady shared his thoughts on spending more time with his family, particularly when it came to playing sports with his sons. He joked, “As a father, you sometimes have to let your son win… actually, he’s right, I did try. He beats me too much, and I’m worried about getting hurt at this point.”

As the greatest quarterback of all time, Brady prepared to be celebrated by over 100 former teammates and enthusiastic fans who made the journey to the small Massachusetts town. “It’s been humbling,” Brady expressed on the red carpet. “I can only express my love and gratitude to my former teammates. I don’t take any of this for granted.”

Brady continued, reflecting on his journey with the Patriots: “It all started with Robert Kraft. I saw his vision, and he’s the architect of it all. Along with incredible coaching and amazing players, we showed the world what can be achieved when you believe in yourself. We learned, regrouped, and rebuilt. Everyone who has been a part of this organization should be proud of what we accomplished on and off the field.”

Kraft himself shared his thoughts on Brady’s impact, stating, “There’s nothing like sports to bring a community together. What he did for this organization over 20 years is like nothing else. Players wanted to come and be a part of this team because of him. We were lucky to have him as the foundation and heart and soul of our team.”

Kraft also highlighted Brady’s selflessness, noting that he had turned down higher salary offers to ensure the team could spend on other players and maintain a successful roster. “He really put the team first and checked his ego at the door,” Kraft added.

Boston comedian Bill Burr, who delivered the opening monologue at the ceremony.

New Jersey music legend and Patriots fan Jon Bon Jovi, a close friend of the Kraft family, was also in attendance.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy (right) and his employees, known as the “Brady Four,” were guests at the induction ceremony.

Brady also expressed his joy at having his family by his side during the ceremony: “Being here with my family means everything to me. My parents and now my kids—the conversations I have with them are the best experiences I’m having. I can relate to them through my own experiences, and Robert [Kraft] has been like a father figure to me.”

The ceremony was attended by several celebrities, including Boston comedian Bill Burr, who kicked things off with an opening monologue. New Jersey native and close friend of the Krafts, Jon Bon Jovi, whose music has long been associated with Patriots touchdowns, was also in attendance. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and three of his employees, known as the “Brady Four,” were also present, reuniting after their 2015 protest of the “Deflategate” investigation.

The induction of Tom Brady into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame was a memorable occasion, celebrating the achievements of a true sports legend.