Wednesday night was never going to be "just" a Patriots Hall of Fame induction for Tom Brady. Even if that's all it was, the setting -- in a packed Gillette Stadium with hundreds of former Patriots on hand and a slew of star guests -- was always going to be unique.
"Tom Brady Night" was certainly that, with one tribute and story after another bringing the tears, laughs and memories. And when Patriots owner Robert Kraft took to the stage a little over two and a half hours into the celebration, he made two announcements that were expected at some point, but hadn't yet been made official: Brady's No. 12 has officially been retired in New England, and a 12-foot statue of Brady will be coming to Gillette, scheduled to be unveiled at some point during this upcoming season.
Kraft then presented Brady with his red jacket for the Patriots Hall of Fame and turned the mic over to the quarterback who brought six Super Bowls to Foxboro. Brady spoke for nearly 20 minutes, thanking his family, his teammates, his coaches, the Kraft family and Patriots fans.
"Patriot Nation, it feels good to be home," Brady began, to one of several standing ovations.
"I am Tom Brady, and I am a Patriot," he concluded to another.
Relive some of the highlights from the night here: