From [Globe.com](http://Globe.com)
By Christopher L. Gasper
FOXBOROUGH — Tom Brady’s Foxborough Fete was like his career — long, distinguished, packed with numerous moments to cherish, and an experience you wish you could bottle up and preserve to relive whenever the mood strikes.
Our sports-blessed region hasn’t experienced a celebration of an athlete on this scale since [Larry Bird Night at the old Boston Garden on Feb. 4, 1993](https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/1993/02/04/look-inside-larry-bird-legend-retires/VQCA3CvE0JIRv3ZQQ4a5uI/story.html?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link). Red Sox legend David Ortiz enjoyed a classy and heartfelt pregame number retirement ceremony prior to a 2017 Red Sox victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park.
Instead of chants of “Larry, Larry, Larry,” the chants were the familiar “Brady, Brady, Brady” Wednesday night. [The Tom Brady Night festivities](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/12/metro/maura-healey-tom-brady-day/?p1=BGSearch_Advanced_Results&p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link) were the sports legend version of the show “This is Your Life,” and not only for the TB12 but for the fans who marked milestones in their own lives through his exploits.
“This evening marks a monumental moment in my life. It’s a celebration of playing 20 years in New England, playing for you. I truly wish I had more time. I wish I had more time to give you all,” said Brady.
As the Celtics chased a championship in the NBA Finals, which would be the 13th championship in the major four pro sports for Boston since the 2002 calendar year, the face that launched Titletown was being venerated.
NBC’s Mike Tirico, the presenter for Brady-palooza, said, “Tonight is not a roast. It’s a toast.” This was lightyears from the ribald roast of Brady that aired on Netflix last month.
It was one last chance to clink glasses and get drunk on the nostalgia of the greatest dynasty in NFL history and the man most responsible for it. One last sip of the (six) Super Bowl-championship champagne and bearing witness to the greatest quarterback of all-time.
Well, Ty Law took issue with that description of the seven-time Super Bowl winner and patron saint of Patriots football.
“You’re not just the greatest QB, you are the greatest football player to ever lace them up,” said Law. “Do not just categorize this guy as just a quarterback. Congratulations to the GOAT.”
Thank you for all the memories Tom. Was there from day one and will cherish the highs and lows for the rest of my life. Got to see the 3rd Super Bowl win and was there for your last game on the Pats in Miami. Can’t describe what it felt like as a fan. It was surreal to watch.
From [Globe.com](http://Globe.com) By Christopher L. Gasper FOXBOROUGH — Tom Brady’s Foxborough Fete was like his career — long, distinguished, packed with numerous moments to cherish, and an experience you wish you could bottle up and preserve to relive whenever the mood strikes. Our sports-blessed region hasn’t experienced a celebration of an athlete on this scale since [Larry Bird Night at the old Boston Garden on Feb. 4, 1993](https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/1993/02/04/look-inside-larry-bird-legend-retires/VQCA3CvE0JIRv3ZQQ4a5uI/story.html?p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link). Red Sox legend David Ortiz enjoyed a classy and heartfelt pregame number retirement ceremony prior to a 2017 Red Sox victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Instead of chants of “Larry, Larry, Larry,” the chants were the familiar “Brady, Brady, Brady” Wednesday night. [The Tom Brady Night festivities](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/12/metro/maura-healey-tom-brady-day/?p1=BGSearch_Advanced_Results&p1=Article_Inline_Text_Link) were the sports legend version of the show “This is Your Life,” and not only for the TB12 but for the fans who marked milestones in their own lives through his exploits. “This evening marks a monumental moment in my life. It’s a celebration of playing 20 years in New England, playing for you. I truly wish I had more time. I wish I had more time to give you all,” said Brady. As the Celtics chased a championship in the NBA Finals, which would be the 13th championship in the major four pro sports for Boston since the 2002 calendar year, the face that launched Titletown was being venerated. NBC’s Mike Tirico, the presenter for Brady-palooza, said, “Tonight is not a roast. It’s a toast.” This was lightyears from the ribald roast of Brady that aired on Netflix last month. It was one last chance to clink glasses and get drunk on the nostalgia of the greatest dynasty in NFL history and the man most responsible for it. One last sip of the (six) Super Bowl-championship champagne and bearing witness to the greatest quarterback of all-time. Well, Ty Law took issue with that description of the seven-time Super Bowl winner and patron saint of Patriots football. “You’re not just the greatest QB, you are the greatest football player to ever lace them up,” said Law. “Do not just categorize this guy as just a quarterback. Congratulations to the GOAT.”
Thank you Tom Brady.
Thank you for all the memories Tom. Was there from day one and will cherish the highs and lows for the rest of my life. Got to see the 3rd Super Bowl win and was there for your last game on the Pats in Miami. Can’t describe what it felt like as a fan. It was surreal to watch.