Tom Brady delivers powerful message on hard work during Patriots Hall of Fame speech: ‘No shortcuts’

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After the New England Patriots and all the great names that made that franchise a dynasty had welled with pride and tears and shown bravado and humility in front of about 60,000 fans at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, the limelight fixed where it ultimately always went for two decades.

On Tom Brady.

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, greets former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, on stage during Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Brady at Gillette Stadium, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass.  (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

And the greatest quarterback of all time, in the house to accept a red blazer as the newest member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, did what he so often did during his career.

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He delivered.

Brady spoke for 20 minutes as he humbly accepted owner Robert Kraft's announcement that No. 12 would be retired, and a statue would be commissioned and erected outside the stadium. 

In becoming the 35th player to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, Brady spoke of his teammates, coaches, and family. He spoke of his friends and competitors. He thanked them all.

He also thanked and hugged Kraft and former coach Bill Belichick before praising the kitchen staff and people who cleaned the players' locker stalls. He covered all the bases.

And in typical Brady fashion, it was an outstanding performance.

"To be successful at anything," Brady said, "the truth is you don't have to be special. You have to be what most people aren't: consistent, determined, and willing to work for it. No shortcuts.

"If you look at all my teammates here