Patriots add Tom Brady to HOF and retire jersey No. 12
The New England Patriots have inducted legendary quarterback Tom Brady into their Hall of Fame while retiring his iconic No. 12 jersey. Brady, whose 12-foot-tall statue will also be installed during the season, won six Super Bowls and 17 AFC East titles during his 20-year tenure in New England. The 46-year-old delivered an emotional speech during the three-hour ceremony, thanking the likes of former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. “Thank you for your tireless commitment to developing me and pushing me to be my best. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t you, it was us. Let me be very clear: There is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick,” Tom Brady said. Belichick expressed his appreciation for his former star quarterback, thanking him for “everything you’ve done for me” and calling Brady “incredible.” Brady’s former quarterback rival Peyton Manning was also in attendance, returning the favor for Brady’s presence at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rapper Jay-Z was also in attendance at the ceremony and sang “Public Service Announcement,” a song Brady listened to repeatedly throughout his career.
without brand – Sport
FOXBORO – Thursday night marked a new chapter for the New England Patriots defense.
They took the field at Gillette Stadium without Matthew Judon, who had been traded to the Atlanta Falcons the night before. A productive veteran who missed most of 2023 due to injury and began this training camp due to a contract dispute, was sent away for a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Five different Patriots recorded sacks in that 14-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and that no-holds-barred approach will be needed going forward. Judon totaled 28 sacks in his first two seasons here before a torn bicep limited him to just four games last season.
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“We haven’t had a top forward in years – Chandler Jones, the Judon of this world,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said. “But we’ve been able to create a pass rush through our stunts, plays and game planning. It’s not going to be one person.”
Joshua Uche, Deatrich Wise Jr., Keion White, Oshane Ximines and Isaiah Bolden all recorded sacks against the Eagles. The first four names are expected to play around the quarterback as defensive linemen or pass-rushing outside linebackers – Bolden is a defensive back who caught Philadelphia quarterback Kenny Pickett as he tried to rush up the middle. Jeremiah Pharms Jr. was also credited with a hit on Pickett early in the second quarter.
“The last four years he’s been here, the defensive line and the pass rush have improved,” Wise said. “He brought a high level of education and preparation to the game, and that’s something we’ll definitely miss.”
Judon’s contract called for a base salary of $6.5 million for this season and included no bonuses. It was the end of a four-year deal he signed as a free agent before the 2021 season. Judon had a lively public discussion with Mayo and general manager Eliot Wolf on the practice field at the start of training camp, and it seemed the Patriots were at a turning point with the four-time Pro Bowl player.
“I felt like it was a win-win situation for both sides and I wish him nothing but the best,” Mayo said. “I always tell the guys that these are long-term relationships. Nothing has changed.”
Wise, Uche and Ximines are all set to hit unrestricted free agency after next season. Each of these players now has a chance to establish themselves as one of the key contributors of this defense. Wise could be playing for one last significant contract as a 30-year-old, while Uche is nearing the end of his rookie contract at 26.
“The guys have adopted the next man up mentality,” Uche said. “That’s what he would have wanted from us. And that’s exactly what we’re going to continue to do.”
The Eagles left most of their standout players on both sides of the ball on the bench, including left tackle Jordan Mailata. Reserve tackle Tyler Steen (ankle) was injured early in the first half and Max Scharping — who is listed as a guard on Philadelphia’s roster — was left on an island outside. Both sacks by Wise and White and the hit by Pharms came to Scharping on the same series in the second quarter when New England exploited a weakness on offense.
“I came into the league one-dimensional and I think I’ve developed well with the help of all the coaches around me,” Wise said. “Wherever they put me, inside or outside, I’m going to perform.”
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