Patriots Legend Tom Brady Takes Jab At Division Rival During Statue

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 11, 2025, 5:03 PM

Patriots Legend Tom Brady Takes Jab at Division Rival During Statue Unveil originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New England Patriots unveiled the first statue of a former player in franchise history outside Gillette Stadium Friday night before the team kicked off its 2025 preseason against the Washington Commanders. Six-time Patriots’ Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady is the player being honored. The statue stands 12 feet tall with a five-foot base to resemble the 17 AFC East Division titles Brady won with the Patriots. The base of the statue has six sides, which account for Brady's six Super Bowl championships in New England. The Patriots' legend stacked up almost every accolade you could think of throughout his 20-year career in New England, earning 15 Pro Bowl trips, six Super Bowl championships, five Super Bowl MVPs, three All-Pro...

"For two decades, Tom Brady made Patriots feel invincible. His story wasn't scripted. It was earned. Every yard, every fourth quarter comeback, every win," Patriots' owner Robert Kraft said. "Tom was the 199th draft pick who not only transformed himself into the greatest quarterback the league has ever seen, but he also helped transform the Patriots into a 20 year dynasty." The New England Patriots made legendary quarterback Tom Brady the first-ever player in franchise history to be honored with a statue outside of Gillette Stadium.

Brady took the opportunity presented to him Friday by the one-of-a-kind honor to take a jab at one of his biggest rivals from his playing days: the New York Jets. Brady's dig at the Jets came a speech he gave after the statue was unveiled. "This statue isn't just for Pats fans," Brady quipped. "It will also give Jets fans something to throw their beers at as they leave the stadium ever year. Probably in the second quarter. Maybe in the third."

While the Patriots haven't enjoyed consistent success since Brady left the team during the 2020 NFL offseason, they have continued to perform well against the Jets. New England has posted an 8-2 record against their divisional rival in five seasons without Brady. The New England Patriots honored Tom Brady with a statue outside of Foxborough Stadium on Saturday, and the GOAT took a swipe at a former division rival. Tom Brady is known for more than a few things, but first and foremost, he is knows for being the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Second, he is known as one of the fiercest competitors around. That spirit came out on Saturday night during the statue reveal outside of Foxborough Stadium.

It’s been five years since Brady left New England in what could be described as an icy parting of ways. His love for the team and the fans never changed, but his relationship with coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft had reached a boiling point and the winningest QB in history left the... Now, half a decade later, relationships have been mended and the GOAT was honored by Kraft and the Patriots with a larger than life statue of Brady on Saturday night. Brady used his patented mix of charm, charisma and wit in his speech once the statue was unveiled. “This is quite overwhelming to me,” the 48-year-old said. “I feel extremely honored, deeply grateful and, if I’m being honest, kind of old,” said Brady.

The 48 year old, who still looks like he can strap on the pads and play, went on to take a shot at the Patriots division rivals the, New York Jets, in his speech. “This statue isn’t just for Pats fans. It’ll also give all the Jets fans something to throw their beers at as they leave the stadium every year. Probably in the 2nd quarter,” joked Brady. 9 simple tips to help you wake up early without feeling tired Trendy Rakhi designs for Raksha Bandhan 2025

Bigg Boss Malayalam 7: Stunning looks of Binny Sebastian 10 baby names that mean ‘divine light’ or ‘sacred glow’ 10 Birds with the "wildest dating rituals" Tom Brady was forever enshrined in Foxborough lore on Friday, as a 12-foot bronze statue of him was revealed outside of Gillette Stadium. There was worry that he was going to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Dwyane Wade and have some rough aesthetics, but it turned out well. A closer look at Tom Brady's statue 👀 https://t.co/d0jK27EsDE pic.twitter.com/LPsdee1uuc

After the lead-up praising Brady and his achievements with the Patriots over two video packages and a speech from owner Robert Kraft, it was finally time for the former quarterback to get the mic. He began by thanking fans, but then it felt like he blacked out and woke up thinking that he was at an open mic night. Brady started making jokes that had full set-ups and even a prop during his speech. Here's more on Brady's speech after his statue was revealed by the Patriots. Brady was given a platform, and he didn't waste it. He threw shade at former teammates, opponents, and coaches — nobody was safe.

Here is a look at some of his best jokes from his speech. The best quarterback in NFL history has been etched in stone outside his old stomping grounds. Prior to their preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, the New England Patriots unveiled a statue of Tom Brady outside of Gillette Stadium on Friday. The statue is 12-feet tall for Brady's No. 12, which was the quarterback's jersey number during his 20 years with the franchise (2000-19), and features the quarterback with his right fist in the air while holding his helmet with the other hand. Brady, who was in attendance for the event, is the first player to get a statue outside the stadium in Patriots history.

"When I was drafted, I just hoped to make the team. I never dreamed I’ll be standing here two and a half decades later, made of bronze and frozen in time," Brady said. "But actually, it actually feels pretty appropriate given my 40-yard dash time." In all, the statue is 17 feet, including the five-foot pedestal, representing the 17 AFC East titles the Patriots won with Brady. The six sides of the pedestal represent the number of Super Bowl rings he won in New England. The New York Jets fans were sick of playing Tom Brady ’s New England Patriots twice for more than two decades.

Even in retirement, he continues to haunt his onetime divisional rivals. Brady was at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro on Friday (August 8) to see the unveiling of his statue made in honor of his contributions during his tenure with the Patriots. The 48-year-old took this opportunity to take a jab at the Jets. This statue isn’t just for Pats fans. It will also give Jets fans something to throw their beers at as they leave the stadium every year… Probably in the second quarter. Maybe in the third.

@TomBrady | @NFL pic.twitter.com/xX00FMrJoY Tom Brady addresses Patriots Nation after the unveiling of his 12-foot statue outside of Gillette Stadium, and he pokes fun at Jets fans, as well. When Tom Brady addressed the massive crowd at Gillette Stadium on the night of his jersey retirement ceremony last year, he spent much of the night fighting back tears and working through his emotions. When he came back a year later for the unveiling of his statue, Brady opted to take a largely comedic route with his speech. With an overflowing crowd occupying every inch of the plaza, the staircase, and even the highest points of the stadium behind him, Brady tapped into his Netflix roast persona to try to draw some... Subscribe to NBC Sports Boston's podcast network to hear our Insiders bring you the latest insights on your favorite teams!

Patriots Legend Tom Brady Takes Jab At Division Rival During Statue

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