After 20 Years, Tom Brady Announces That He’s Saying Goodbye to the New England Patriots

Kick us while we’re down, Brady.

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, more heartbreaking news (at least for New England Patriots fans) has just come out: After 20 years in his career, Tom Brady announced that he will officially be leaving the Patriots.

The announcement came via the football quarterback’s Instagram account:

“To all my teammates, coaches, executives and staff, Coach Belichick, RKK, and the Kraft family and the entire organization. I want to say thank you for the past twenty years of my life and the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning culture built on great values. I am grateful for all that you have taught me – I have learned from everyone. You all have allowed me to maximize my potential and that is all a player can hope for. Everything we have accomplished brings me great joy and the lessons I have learned will carry on with me forever. I couldn’t be the man I am today without the relationships you have allowed me to build with you. I have benefited from all you have given me. I cherished every opportunity I had to be a part of our team, and I love you all for that. Our team has always set a great standard in pro sports and I know it will continue to do just that.

Although my football journey will take play elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible TEAM accomplishments. I have been privileged to have the opportunity to know each and every one of you, and to have the memories we’ve created together.”

So what’s the next move for the superstar? While there’s a lot of speculation, no one knows for sure. Some think he’s retiring, some think he’ll join a new team. Either way, one thing’s for sure: he’ll always be a Patriot at heart. He captioned the post “FOREVER A PATRIOT.”

Are you a Tom Brady fan? How do you feel about him leaving the Patriots?