Tom Brady addresses being honored by Patriots after retirement

Retired quarterback Tom Brady addressed being honored both before and during Sunday's game between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles that featured Brady's return to Gillette Stadium for the first time since he retired "for good" in February. 

"A surreal day," Brady said about the afternoon during an interview with the Patriots' website that was shared on Monday, per beat reporter Zack Cox of NESN. "Tough to obviously put into words what this entire region has — how they’re a part of my life, how they’re a part of all the incredible memories I have. I had a great time growing up as a kid in California, but I really grew up here in New England."

Brady famously joined the Patriots as the 199th overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft and then guided the club to six Super Bowl titles before he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020. On Sunday, Brady became the first ever "Keeper of the Light" at Gillette Stadium, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft later revealed that the 46-year-old will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame next June.

"Living here in Massachusetts in Boston … I wouldn’t change a day in my life because of the incredible people that have come into my life," Brady added. "This is a very special day for my family, for myself, for a lot of people for a lot of reasons, so I’m just happy we were able to get back here and celebrate something really special."

Brady and the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LV in February 2021, and he then helped Tampa Bay earn a 19-17 victory over the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in October of that year. Brady referred to himself as "a Patriot for life" on Sunday despite his stint with the Buccaneers that ran for three seasons. 

"I feel it every single time," Brady said about the reactions from New England fans he experienced for roughly two decades. "Even when I came back here (as a player) a few years ago, I felt it. But today was unbelievable. One thing we love in New England is we love our sports heroes, and we love the people that have brought a lot of fun moments to our lives, and I’m so happy to be a part of those moments along with all my great teammates, my great coaches. (This is) the best organization this league has ever seen."

Brady ultimately couldn't help the Patriots open this season with a win, as they fell to the Eagles 25-20. Nevertheless, fans in attendance likely will cherish seeing the G.O.A.T. back in his New England No. 12 jersey during what unofficially represented the first day of the next chapter of Brady's football life. 

Brady is expected to start working as Fox's lead NFL analyst next season.