Patriots to retire Brady's number 12 shirt

The New England Patriots are to discontinue Tom Brady's number 12 garment and build a statue of their legendary erstwhile quarterback.

The franchise made nan announcement while inducting nan 46-year-old into their Hall of Fame.

After being selected by nan Patriots pinch nan 199th prime of nan 2000 draft, Brady led them to six Super Bowl wins.

"[The statue] will guidelines unsocial successful nan plaza extracurricular of nan Hall of Fame to symbolise his position, not arsenic nan top successful franchise history, but arsenic nan top successful each of NFL history," said Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft.

Brady near nan Patriots for nan Tampa Bay Buccaneers successful 2020 and helped them triumph nan Super Bowl successful his first season, being named nan game's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for a 5th time.

He retired successful 2022 earlier reversing his determination only six weeks later to play a 23rd and last play successful nan NFL.

"I americium eternally grateful. I americium Tom Brady. And I americium a Patriot," said Brady astatine nan ceremonial astatine nan location stadium of nan Patriots.

Brady played nether erstwhile Patriots coach Bill Belichick during his clip astatine nan franchise.

"Let maine make this crystal clear - location is nary coach successful nan world I would alternatively play for than Bill Belichick," added Brady.

Belichick was besides successful attendance, and said: "Thank you for each that you've done for us. Thank you for each you've done for me.

"And convey you for nan illustration and motto you've been for each of america connected a regular ground for 20 years. Congratulations."

Brady is nan NFL's all-time regular-season leader successful walk attempts (12,050), completions (7,753), passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649).

He was named nan season's MVP 3 times.