Tom Brady and Mike Tirico speak to fans during the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium on June 12, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Tom Brady is forever enshrined in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
Why now? Well, it's the 12th day of the sixth month — 12 for Brady's number, and six for the number of Super Bowls he won here.
Brady became the 35th person inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, and team owner Robert Kraft announced no one will wear his No. 12 ever again.
Gillette Stadium was packed for the star-studded event, which got underway at 7 p.m. with an introduction from Massachusetts native comedian Bill Burr, who called Brady "the greatest NFL quarterback of all time."
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"It's so difficult to put into words what this amazing night means to me and our entire family," Brady said Wednesday night. "I think we're adopted New Englanders, and I have my little babies out here, that aren't such babies anymore, that were born here on Beacon Street."
The quarterback took a moment early on to thank Patriots fans directly.
"You guys affected every part of my life, and I love you all and I'm very grateful," he said.
Rob Gronkowski, Randy Moss, Vince Wilfork, Julian Edelman and Drew Bledsoe are just some of the big names of former Patriots involved in the ceremony.
Ty Law went a step beyond calling Brady the best quarterback of all time.
"You are the greatest football player to ever lace them up," he said.
Former opponents also recorded videos wishing Brady well, but his longtime rival, former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, showed up in person.
"You knew when you were playing against a Tom Brady team, you better be at your best, cause if you weren't, Tom Brady was going to beat you every time," Manning said.
One of the biggest moments of the night came with the return of former head coach Bill Belichick, who embraced Brady on stage.
"I love you New England. I love you Patriot fans. I love Tom Brady," Belichick said.
Later, after donning his red Hall of Fame jacket, Brady thanked Belichick and put to rest the age-old question of which man is more responsible for the dynasty.
"It wasn't me. It wasn't you. It was us," Brady said.
The greatest quarterback in NFL history spent 20 seasons with the Pats, winning six Super Bowls in his time here, and was a three-time league MVP.
"Patriot nation, it feels good to be home," Brady said. "This evening marks a monumental moment in my life, it's a celebration of 20 years here in New England playing for the Patriots, playing for you -- the greatest fans in the NFL. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and a deep sense of honor, so let me say thank you for all that you've done to help me -- to help us -- achieve our lifelong dreams."
Earlier in the day, NBC10 Boston caught up with some current Patriots players, including quarterback Bailey Zappe, who has never met Brady but was in attendance on Wednesday night.
"The first time I meet him I'm gonna be starstruck, because I've never met him," Zappe said. "But it's gonna be awesome."
Former Patriots Jason McCourty and Deatrich Wise Jr. hosted a red carpet event before the ceremony, which began at 7 p.m. and was hosted by NBC's Mike Tirico. The events were being streamed live on Patriots.com, the Patriots' YouTube channel and their social media platforms.
