New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has revealed that Tom Brady "started crying" as he informed him of his intention to end his two-decade-long association with the organization.
The retired quarterback established his reputation as a football icon at Gillette Stadium during a glittering tenure with the franchise between 2001 to 2019. The key player as the Patriots dynasty played out during that period, he led the team to nine Super Bowls, winning six rings in the process.
Alongside head coach Bill Belichick, the 47-year-old is credited with spearheading this 20-year domination of the NFL - widely considered to be one of the greatest dynasties in sporting history. However, that love affair came to a close as Brady decided to depart New England following the 2019 season.
He eventually signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he would win a seventh and final Super Bowl in 2020. Now, Patriots owner Kraft has reflected on first hearing the news that the team's talisman wanted to leave, saying: "I’ll never forget… I believe it was in the month of March [2020]. He lived down the street from me.
"[Brady] came to my house and I opened the door. He started crying and he hugged me and he said, ‘I’ve made a decision. I’m gonna leave the Patriots after 20 years.’ We normally would’ve franchised someone like that… but I kept my word to him. And it was one of the worst days – it’s like losing a child."
Kraft vowed that he "wouldn't allow Bill [Belichick or the team to franchise (tag)" his star player, as he revealed his state of mind on the situation at the time, adding: "[Brady] cried that whole time when he had to leave us. I understood it. He lived under an arrangement that was very difficult for him the last decade.
Speaking as part of the Netflix documentary "The Dynasty", Brady explained his reasons for pursuing a move away from New England after 20 campaigns. He admitted: "Me and coach Belichick, we did what we loved and competed for 20 years together.
