Uncertain times call for drastic measures in New England.
With Tom Brady potentially becoming a free agent in March after 20 seasons with the Patriots, Massachusetts politicians have offered up everything from keys to the city of Boston to renaming a town for him.
Asked whether he’d rename a town after Brady, per WHDH-TV, State Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo said, “For David Ortiz, we have a bridge named after him, so maybe we’ll think of something else (for Brady). But I’m not so sure he’s done yet.”
Boston mayor Marty Walsh said he’d offer the six-time Super Bowl champ keys to the city, all the while posing the challenge of hoisting another Lombardi Trophy.
“I think this is going to be Tom Brady’s decision, but one thing about Tom Brady is he likes challenges,” Walsh recently said, according to WEEI. “If you’re listening, Tom, you got knocked out in the first round, so the challenge is to get back to the Super Bowl next year, so stay in New England.”
The Patriots’ season ended in disappointing fashion on Saturday night, when the Titans defeated the reigning Super Bowl champs in the AFC wild-card round, 20-13.
“Who knows what the future holds?” Brady said after the game, noting it’s “pretty unlikely” he’ll retire.
Should Brady remain in New England, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has thought of other ways to honor him, including a notable day in December.
“I think 12/12 would be a really interesting day to turn into Tom Brady Day at some point,” Baker said, invoking Brady’s jersey number. “If he stays, I think that’s great, but he doesn’t owe us anything.”
Baker’s remarks reflect a similar sentiment expressed by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who told NBC Sports’ Peter King that Brady has earned the right to dictate his future.
“Before the season started it was very important to Tom that he be free to do whatever he wanted at the end of the year,” Kraft said. “You know what I said to myself? That any person who plays 20 years for this team and helps us get to nine Super Bowls, and been really selfless, has earned that right.”
