I think we need to face it. Allied to Brady's extraordinary "retirement" statement with zero mention of the Patriots, this is not a coincidence. Both players have clearly been stewing in Florida, bitching to each other about Bill and the team and how they were "treated". Even when the Patriots issued a heartfelt statement when Tom retired from the game initially, the best they got was a brief, short thank you on Instagram. The same when Bill took the time after the Bucs-Pats game when he went into the Bucs locker room to spend time with Tom. He got a brief instant IG message saying 'I appreciate you coach'. This is the Tom Brady who can now not go to the toilet without posting about it.
I think it's a shitty attitude from a QB who nobody wanted and was taken 199 in the draft and a TE who no team was interested in with his injury issues and was taken 82nd. Both were brought into an outstanding team culture with the best coach in football history. They can kid each other that they would have been successful anywhere, but the facts don't lie. Be pissed off with Bill and be petty, be pissed off with RKK all you want. It's silly, but do it if it makes you feel good. But to not acknowledge the fans who were there week in and week out supporting you all the way? That's shitty. No other way of putting it.
RKK needs to think now about this. Forget sending the Patriots plane to bring them back for any ceremony. If they want the Red Jacket, fine, we'll go through that. But we would prefer to have players return here to be honoured who really want it. The Bruschi's, the Harrisons, Hannahs, Wilforks, Edelmans, McGinests, Lights etc etc.
Their HOF speeches will be a blast!