End Of A Patriots Era As Tom Brady Talks New Tampa Bay Home

TAMPA, FL — It was a surreal moment even in the most surreal of times. As most New England residents were hunkered down in their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic, perhaps the region's greatest sports icon officially waved goodbye to his NFL home of 20 years Tuesday during a conference call that introduced Tom Brady as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady, who brought six Super Bowl championships and nine Super Bowl appearances to Patriots fans during an unprecedented two decades in a New England uniform, agreed to leave the Patriots for the pirates and pewter pants of Tampa last week. He confirmed he told Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Patriots coach Bill Belichick of his decision following a face-to-face meeting with Kraft last Monday, before officially agreeing to a two-year deal with the Buccaneers on Friday.

"This is an exciting moment for me in my life," Brady said during Tuesday's conference call. "It is obviously very unique to me. First time it's happened in 20 years. I am taking it day by day. The expectation is to come in and do what's right for this organization."

While Brady referenced his time with the Patriots several times, he made it clear that even at 43 years old he is not planning to rest on his laurels as arguably the greatest player of all time during one of the most successful runs of any sports franchise in history.

"Obviously, where I've been I've learned a great deal," Brady said. "As I said the other day, no one cares what you've done in the past. No one cares what you've done five years ago, 10 years ago."

Asked about his departure from New England, Brady said: "there is nobody who has been a bigger fan of the New England Patriots than me. I have total respect and love."

He said that while a piece of his heart will always be in New England, he is still very much focused on what he can still accomplish in his playing career.

"Mr. Kraft has been a great influence in my life," Brady said. "I am so grateful for the two decades (I was in New England). It's been an amazing thing for my family. When I look back I will have a chance to evaluate my entire career. At the same time I am excited about the opportunity that I have (in Tampa). ... Being a free agent, and having the opportunity to join the Bucs, was something I am excited about."

Brady confirmed he notified Kraft of his decision after the face-to-face meeting, during which he spoke with Patriots president Jonathan Kraft, and Belichick.

"All three of those guys have been involved with so many different decisions in my life that were career-related and personal-related," Brady said. "I leave there with just a lot of great admiration for people in that organization. It's a first-class organization in every way. I wanted to leave it that way too."

Brady declared he believes he can win with the Buccaneers - traditionally one of the worst franchises in the NFL's Super Bowl era.

"I'm not going to get into everything about the decision," Brady said. "But there were a lot of things that were intriguing to me about the organization, and the players and the coaches, and the willingness to accomplish what the goal of football is - which is to win."

Though the Patriots won their first eight games in Brady's final season in New England, he often expressed frustration about the offense, and that frustration was evident as the team sputtered at the end of the regular season and lost the playoff opener against the Tennessee Titans. While the Bucs struggled overall last year, the offense under head coach Bruce Arians was a potent one with elite receiving threats All-Pro Mike Evans (69 catches, 8 TDs) and Chris Godwin (86 catches, 9 TDs), as well as dangerous tight ends Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard.

"Great offenses aren't about one player," Brady said. "They are about everybody being on the same page. ... Football to me is about throwing the ball to the guy who is open. If the guy is open deep, you throw it there. If he's open short, you throw it there. If he's outside that's where you throw. ... I have one ball and I have to be able to deliver it to the guy who can do something with it."

Brady also addressed the obstacles of transitioning to a new team for the first time in his professional career without the ability to work out with teammates due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's unfortunate what we're going through in our world," he said. "It provides a different challenge for all of us."

He concluded the 30-minute call with a message about what all his time in New England has meant time, and will always mean to him.

"Any time you leave some place can be very emotional," he said. "I've had a lot of emotional conversations. The relationships are what matters most. I am going to be friends with my former teammates and coaches the rest of my life.

"That's not going to leave just because I am wearing a new jersey."

Related Patch Coverage: Tom Brady Leaves Patriots, Joins Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady Signs Multi-Year Contract With Tampa Bay Bucs