Patriots honor Tom Brady in star-studded ceremony

The Patriots' ceremony honoring former QB Tom Brady last night drew "tens of thousands of fans to Gillette Stadium on a mid-June night in the middle of the NBA Finals," and the team "honored the greatest player in NFL history with a one-of-a-kind celebration." In the stadium, "nearly every available seat was filled, including hundreds that had been set up on the Gillette game field." A "who’s-who of Patriots greats made the trip back" for the occasion -- more than 100 in total -- "including the much-anticipated return" of former coach Bill Belichick. Others in attendance included Drew Bledsoe, Malcolm Butler, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and teammate-turned-Patriots coach Jerod Mayo. Brady’s rivals "also joined in the fun," with eight of them -- Charles Woodson, Ray Lewis, Eli Manning, Jason Taylor, Ed Reed, Michael Strahan, Patrick Mahomes and Richard Sherman -- "expressing their appreciation for Brady in a tribute video." Peyton Manning "made a surprise in-person appearance, joining Brady and host Mike Tirico on the stage for a 10-minute chat." At the end, Brady was presented with his red Patriots HOF jacket as owner Robert Kraft announced the team "will honor Brady with a 12-foot bronze statue, which will be unveiled during the upcoming season" (BOSTON HERALD, 6/12).