BOSTON — Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued a video statement Wednesday congratulating Tom Brady on his retirement.
On Thursday, Kraft called for Brady to come home.
In an interview with CNN This Morning, Kraft said he wants Brady to retire a Patriot by signing a 1-day contract with the team.
“I’d do it tomorrow,” Kraft said. “Not only do I want it, our fans are clamoring for it and to us. He always has been and always will be a Patriot. …We’ll do everything we can in our power to bring him back, sign off as a Patriot and find ways to honor him for many years to come. He did so much to bring life and good cheer to our community and he’s a beloved figure and he’s earned the respect and love that people feel for him like no other athlete in our town and we’ve had some great ones.”
Kraft also disclosed he talked with Brady on Wednesday.
“He Facetimed me yesterday, not — nothing about this,” Kraft said. “Just, you know, it was the first day and he had his two younger children with him. And he really seemed happy. And they were happy. And I — I loved it because his little daughter said — well, both of his kids, they call me RKK and they say, we miss you. We haven’t seen you. And it was — and, you know, it’s just Tommy, he — he’s a fierce competitor, but he brings love and a great warm feeling to everything he does.”
Asked to offer parting words to Brady in the interview, Kraft added: “Well, Tommy, I’m always here for you. You’re — you are a part of our family. You know, and partly — he was blessed having great parents. His mom and dad are super people. He’s got three great sisters. And I was thinking about it, he was the baby, you know.
And — so to have four great women like that and then a role model, and for him not to be super spoiled, I don’t know how it happened. You know, out there in California area, where everything is a little different than it is here in the Northeast. He just — we — we — we — I tell you, I just love the guy so much and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him.”
