Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Tom Brady’s Gift to NYFD Came With One Condition

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ankit K. | Last updated Dec 13, 2025 10:53 PM ET

Tom Brady showed love to New York City firefighters with a gift that carried his usual edge. On Saturday, Brady shared an Instagram story featuring a New England Patriots helmet sent to the New York City Fire Department Rescue 1.

Brady called them “the real GOATS in NYC” and tagged the department. Soon, the post drew attention across the league and social media.

Brady then added a very specific request. He joked that Jets and Giants fans should not throw the helmet in the trash, saying,

"Don't let the Jets and Giants fans throw it in the trash "

The line landed because of New York’s long history with the Patriots. Brady spent two decades beating both teams and shaping those rivalries.

The Jets' rivalry grew inside the AFC East and never cooled down. Coaching drama between Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick added fuel early. Brady then took over after the Drew Bledsoe injury and ruled the division. Spygate and a rare Jets playoff win in 2010 only added more tension.

The Giants' rivalry came on the biggest stage. New York stopped the Patriots twice in the Super Bowl. The 2007 loss ended New England’s perfect season bid of 19-0. Four years later, the Giants beat Brady again and claimed bragging rights.

Retired New England Patriot Hall of Famer Tom Brady speaks during his statue unveiling at Gillette Stadium.Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Brady’s career backs up the confidence behind the joke. He won seven Super Bowls, six with New England and one with Tampa Bay. He reached ten Super Bowls and changed league history.

Since retiring in 2023, Brady has stayed close to football. He is now Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst. He also owns a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, which blocks any return to the field. Even so, moments like this show Brady still enjoys stirring old rivalries.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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