Dear Tom Brady,
I grew up a Patriots fan. Yes, I was from Connecticut, so the territory aligned with the team, but this was not my reason for choosing the Patriots. I became a New England fan because of you.
I do not know how I will feel when I see you on the field warming up tonight, and I think many fans have a similar mindset. If this is the case for me as a fan, I cannot imagine how you will feel when you run out of the visitor’s locker room at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night.
Before the game starts, I wanted to thank you for everything. I wore football jerseys to school every day in the second grade because of you. I wanted to play football because of you. Without football, I do not know where I would be in my life, and you propelled me into the sport.
The game has done more for me than I could ever have hoped, and I do not know if I would have ever played without seeing you at the beginning of your career.
You had a lot of good times in New England, and you gave my family and me a lot of joy. This is something I could never personally repay, but I just want to say thank you. When you return to New England on Sunday, it’s going to be strange.
As I said, I may cry, but not because of sadness. You played such a huge role in my life when you were with the Patriots, and it’s going to be surreal to see you come home.
Your insatiable hunger for success has translated into my life in everything that I do. If a man can stay hungry who has done everything possible in the NFL and then some, I can too. I know many people feel the same way all over the world.
I want to see the Patriots win, but I am rooting for you on Sunday night. You have done more for New England than you will ever know.
Thank you Tom Brady,
Tanner Kern
