Tom Brady: Football star wins on return against New England Patriots

For NFL superstar Tom Brady, the return to his old sporting home was emotional. After the final whistle, he walked through the rain smiling and kissing hands at the fans. Even his long-time coach, Bill Belichick, ran onto the field of Gillette Stadium and hugged the most successful football professional in history, but only for as long as necessary and with the usual grim look. Brady and his new NFL team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, enjoyed a 19:17 win at his old love New England Patriots and even another record.

“I’m not going to cry. I’ve already got all that behind me,” said Brady in a TV interview on NBC after the game – but the return on Sunday evening (local time) was definitely emotional. His parents and wife sat in a box in the stadium where he had played his home games for 20 years and was celebrated by fans for six Super Bowl victories with the Patriots. As they warmed up, they greeted him with applause. “That was cool. It was my home for 20 years, my children were born here,” said Brady.

Patriots fail with a shot in the post

When the game was on, however, the old affection was forgotten and Brady was booed and whistled for every action – just like in football when the opposing team has possession of the ball. With a field goal attempt by the Patriots from 56 yards to the post 55 seconds before the end, the Buccaneers’ 19:17 was sealed. And the congratulations could begin.

The 44-year-old exceptional player failed to make a touchdown pass against his former team led by Jakob Johnson from Stuttgart. However, Brady is now the quarterback with the most pass yards (80,560) in National Football League history. In the first half he overtook Drew Brees, who had made 80,358 yards in his career. “Nothing in this sport can be achieved without great teammates and coaches,” said Brady. Whether he will play against the Patriots again in his career is open, but not very likely because of the game plan arithmetic in the NFL.

Tom Brady’s successor seems to have already been found

The 23-year-old Patriots quarterback Mac Jones had previously impressed with his performance and scored two touchdown passes. It is possible that the Patriots have now found Brady’s long-term successor after a transition year with Cam Newton as playmaker in the NFL newcomer. The footsteps are huge. “He just told me to keep my head up and keep working,” said Jones of the brief encounter between the two after the game.

For Brady’s buddy Rob Gronkowski, who had won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and now also plays for the Buccaneers, the return to the old place of work was canceled. He didn’t even travel because of broken ribs, and the lungs are probably also affected. How long it will be out was unclear.

When the Superbowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers visited, NFL quarterback Tom Brady had some sayings in store that the former US President Donald Trump could hardly laugh about.