Tom Brady, the legendary New England Patriots quarterback, made one last sarcastic remark to New York Jets fans during the official unveiling of his bronze statue outside Gillette Stadium on Thursday. The ceremony took place ahead of the Patriots’ preseason clash with the Washington Commanders, where Brady playfully remarked that the statue would provide Jets fans with a new target for their frustrations, saying, ‘It will also give all the Jets fans something to throw their beers at as they leave the stadium every year, probably in the second quarter, maybe the third.’
Brady, who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories and remains widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time, had an impressive 30-7 record against the Jets throughout his career. Over the course of 20 seasons, he accumulated 60 touchdown passes against New York, surpassing the totals against both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins combined. The Jets, meanwhile, have struggled to keep up with the Patriots’ success, with New England making the playoffs 17 times and winning the Super Bowl six times since 2000. In contrast, the Jets have only advanced to the postseason six times and reached the AFC Championship game twice, without ever securing a Super Bowl title.
The ceremony underscored Brady’s enduring legacy with the Patriots, even as he prepares for his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His bronze statue now stands as a testament to his career, but also as a subtle reminder of the Jets’ long-standing rivalry with the Patriots. The Jets, who have not advanced to the playoffs since the 2010 season, have yet to overcome the dominance of their longtime rival, even in the aftermath of Brady’s departure from New England.