To celebrate Tom Brady’s history with the NFL franchise, the New England Patriots unveiled a 12-foot bronze statue of Tom Brady outside of Gillette Stadium on Aug. 8.
"Right now, I feel extremely honored, deeply grateful, and, if I'm being honest, kind of old," said Brady (per People) during the unveiling ceremony outside the stadium that was his home turf from 2000 to 2019.
The pedestal is hexagonal, symbolizing Brady's six Super Bowl victories and the six New England states. Carved out of bronze by New England native Jeff Buccacio, the statue is located at Patriot Place Plaza, outside Patriots Hall of Fame. Brady stands in a victory stance, one fist raised high and his helmet held in the other hand.
Brady added that he was a bit surprised since statues are usually built when you’re much older. “It’s not every day you get a statue, especially one like this,” he said. “I never imagined seeing myself as a statue when I was growing up. Back when I was drafted, my only goal was to make the team. I never thought I’d be standing here 25 years later, immortalized in bronze and frozen in time. Honestly, it feels fitting—especially considering my 40-yard dash time.”
With Brady feeling "kind of old" despite his success reveals how perceptions of aging can differ from actuality.
Tom Brady, Khloe Kardashian and Aging
A Pew Research study found that people overestimate both the positives and negatives of aging. Young adults expect more illness, memory loss, loneliness, and financial problems in old age than are actually reported by older adults.
Young people also expect more benefits like family time and travel, which older adults report less often than expected. The study also informs that perceptions of when old age begins vary considerably, with the old putting it later than the young.
Khloé Kardashian's approach to entering her 40s is the best example of how older age can be a time of renewal rather than decline.
Business Insider reported that Khloé Kardashian, who celebrated her 40th birthday in June 2024, stated she voluntarily "shed" her 30s by closing a lot of chapters in her life at the age of 39. She calls this shedding old energy and accepting new possibilities, being healthier and more self-assured than ever as she starts her 40s.
Brady is able to learn from Kardashian's book by embracing aging as a period of growth and renewal rather than just looking backwards.
Like Kardashian, shifting focus towards new opportunities and self-care can change theperception Brady has of himself in the aging process.