Former quarterback Tom Brady (12) Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady returning to Gillette Stadium for first time in two years

Tom Brady will return to Foxboro for the first time in two years for the Patriots' home opener in 2023.

This will be TB12's first time back at the stadium he called home for nearly two decades (the Patriots played at Foxboro Stadium until 2002) since Oct. 3, 2021, when his Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated his old team 19-17 in Week 4 of that season. It will also only be Brady's second time back since he left New England for Tampa Bay after the 2019 campaign.

The "GOAT" announced his second retirement from the NFL on Feb. 1, which was the one-year anniversary of his first retirement.

According to Patriots owner Robert Kraft, the September event will be the "beginning of many celebrations to honor" the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

In addition to stating during his February retirement announcement that this time, it's "for good," Brady has attempted to put to rest constant rumors of his second "unretirement" on numerous occasions this offseason. His first retirement lasted almost six weeks, while his current one has now stretched past the 14-week mark (Friday will be the 100th day since his decision).

With Kraft's announcement on Thursday, it's another step in making Brady's retirement more permanent.

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