After making his move official to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Friday, former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has now spoken to the media for the first time since joining the Bucs.
While he did not delve into the reasons behind leaving the New England Patriots, Brady detailed the timeline of his decision during the introductory phone call he had on Tuesday.
The six-time Super Bowl champion disclosed that he made the choice to depart from the franchise on the Monday night before contacting owner Robert Kraft. He then publicized his decision to the world on Tuesday.
“It was really the night that I had stopped by and seen — I spoke with Mr. Kraft and asked if I could come over and see him,” Brady said Tuesday on a conference call. “We spoke and we had a great conversation. I just wanted to express what he’s meant to me in my life. We spoke with Coach (Bill) Belichick at the same time. We were at different locations, but we talked to him, and it was a great conversation. I got a chance to talk to Jonathan Kraft, as well.
All three of those individuals have been pivotal in numerous significant decisions in my life, both professionally and personally. I depart with immense respect for the individuals and the organization. It is a world-class, top-tier organization in every aspect, and I aimed to exit in the same manner. I recognize that the Patriots have a great team, filled with exceptional players, strong leadership, and skilled coaches. I genuinely wish them the best, but for me, I need to shift my focus and concentrate on seizing the current opportunity I have to excel in my current situation. They brought me on board to fulfill a role here, and I intend to approach it with the same dedication and commitment that has been a hallmark of my career. I will give it my all, just as I have always done in all aspects of my life throughout my time playing this sport,” Brady expressed.
