Patriots unveil statue of Tom Brady, QB who led them to 6 Super Bowl wins, before exhibition opener

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady's statue weighs six tons and rises 17 feet off the ground, from the bottom of the six-sided base — one for each of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl victories — to the tip of the bronze fist raised in celebration.

For a player who was too slow and immobile coming out of college to merit more than a No. 199 draft pick, that seems just about right.

“When I was drafted, I just hoped to make the team. I never dreamed I’ll be standing here two and a half decades later, made of bronze and frozen in time,” Brady said Friday night at a ceremony to unveil the statue before the Patriots' exhibition opener against the Washington Commanders. “But actually, it actually feels pretty appropriate given my 40-yard dash time.”

A three-time NFL Most Valuable Player, five-time Super Bowl MVP and seven-time NFL champion — he won one after defecting to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Brady retired in 2023 as the league's most-decorated player ever, holding records in dozens of categories that include most wins, yards passing, and passing touchdowns — for both the regular season and playoffs.

The Patriots inducted him into their Hall of Fame last year, waiving the usual four-year waiting period, and retired his No. 12. At the ceremony, owner Robert Kraft said Brady would be the first player in franchise history to have a bronze statue outside the stadium.

The work by sculptor lifelong Patriots fan Jeff Buccacio unveiled Friday on the plaza outside the team's Pro Shop and Hall of Fame features a hexagonal granite base and a 12-foot Brady, honoring Brady's uniform number and making good on Kraft's wish for it to be larger than life. It is 17 feet in all, representing the 17 AFC East titles the Patriots won in Brady's 19 seasons.

In his remarks, Brady pretended to be interrupted by a call from former coach Bill Belichick giving his opinion of the statue.

“He said there’s still room for improvement,” Brady said. “I know that feeling.”

Fans crowded the plaza, lined a nearby stairway and leaned over railings inside the stadium to watch the ceremony, interrupting Brady by chanting his name.

Among those at the ceremony were Brady’s parents and children, current coach Mike Vrabel and former teammates Devin and Jason McCourty, David Andrews, Wes Welker and Brian Hoyer. Several members of the Commanders entourage also came by, including general manager Adam Peters and ex-Patriot and current Washington defensive end Deatrich Wise.

“It was always important for me to be out there," Vrabel said after the 48-18 victory over the Commanders. "Having somebody like that be part of this organization is pretty unique and pretty special. Glad I could be part of it a little bit.”

In addition to the self-deprecating comments and the shot at Belichick, Brady said he didn't think a statue was appropriate until he was “really old,” like Vrabel.

But he saved his best for the rival New York Jets.

“This statue isn’t just for Pats fans. It’ll also give all the Jets fans something to throw their beers at as they leave the stadium every year,” Brady said. “Probably in the second quarter.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks after a bronze statue of himself was unveiled in Patriot Place Plaza before an NFL preseason football game between the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

A bronze statue of former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is unveiled in Patriot Place Plaza before an NFL preseason football game between the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, looks at a bronze statue of himself after it was unveiled in Patriot Place Plaza before an NFL preseason football game between the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks after a bronze statue of himself was unveiled in Patriot Place Plaza before an NFL preseason football game between the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

A bronze statue of former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is unveiled in Patriot Place Plaza before an NFL preseason football game between the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Unable to wrap your hands around the season’s hottest gift?

The Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles feel your pain.

Three turnovers on a single play Monday night unfolded like a white elephant gift exchange.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts finished the night with four interceptions and a fumble, including a pick that ended the Chargers' 22-19 victory in overtime.

A wild scenario in the second quarter typified Philadelphia's frustration.

The Eagles had the ball before the Chargers plucked it away. The Eagles got it right back, before the Chargers yanked it away again.

From the time Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts let go of his pass with 8:28 remaining in the first half, until the ball stopped rolling, it was among the wildest 9 seconds of the season.

Hurts’ second-quarter pass to A.J. Brown was intercepted by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand at the Los Angeles 17-yard line. Hand fumbled at the 24-yard line when he was hit by the Eagles’ Will Shipley. Hurts had the ball return to his hands at the 33 but he fumbled it when he was hit by the Chargers’ Jamaree Caldwell.

Only the Chargers’ Troy Dye was able to secure the ball tightly when he jumped on it at the 43-yard line.

“It was amazing. You just can’t script that," Hand said of his first career interception in eight NFL seasons. “It’s great football. That’s the moment you think about as a little kid.”

Hurts made history, becoming the only NFL player ever to throw an interception, recover a fumble and lose a fumble on the same play. Adding to the oddity was that the Eagles entered with just eight giveaways all season, tied for the best in the NFL.

“As frustrating as the night was, we had an opportunity to win the game in the end,” Hurts said, when asked specifically about the wild second-quarter play. “I had the ball in my hands, driving down, having everything on our terms. And I didn’t bring it home.”

The Chargers cashed in the madness with a field goal to take a 10-3 lead with 4:55 remaining in the second quarter. But the giveaway game was far from complete.

The three-turnover play was merely part of a stretch when the teams had five turnovers in a span of 11 plays after Hurts was intercepted on the Eagles’ next possession and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert fumbled the ball away one play later.

“That one stings,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said. “At the end of the day we had some turnovers in this game, which is uncharacteristic of us."

The gift giving continued.

In the end there were eight total turnovers from both teams on the night. The Chargers’ Tony Jefferson delivered the final one in overtime when he intercepted Hurts' pass at the 1-yard line.

“I didn’t play well,” Hurts said. “Too many turnovers. Lots of opportunities, especially when we get on the other side of the 50. But I wasn’t able to get us in the box.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Byron Young (94) recovers a fumble by Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) runs back with an intercepted pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Adoree' Jackson (8) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II (86) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson (23) intercepts a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson (2) during overtime of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) rolls out during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)