Most sixth-round picks fade into obscurity. They’re practice squad fodder, special teams contributors if they’re lucky. But when Robert Kraft talks about spending seven figures on a statue, you know this wasn’t just any 199th overall selection. This was Tom Brady, and the Patriots owner just revealed exactly how much they’re willing to spend to honor the greatest dynasty in NFL history.
How Much Did Robert Kraft Spend on Tom Brady’s Statue?
A player drafted 199th overall isn’t supposed to turn your franchise around. In most cases, that is not a player who even gets to see the field often. However, a 199th overall pick becoming your starting quarterback and heralding the greatest dynasty the sport has ever seen was unfathomable before Tom Brady.
With six Super Bowl victories, nine appearances, and a living in championship games, Brady made Foxborough Stadium his canvas. Now, more than half a decade after he exited from the New England Patriots, team owner Robert Kraft reveals details about the statue they built in the GOAT’s honor.
It took a while before Brady took over as QB1 for the Patriots. However, a bold choice from head coach Bill Belichick made him the starting quarterback in New England, and success was almost immediate.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, Brady is retired and now holds an ownership position on the Las Vegas Raiders. However, his ties to New England and the Kraft family, in particular, remain intact. As a result, the organization plans to honor him.
Believed to be completed last year, the Patriots plan to introduce a statue in his honor at the stadium. Even though details about it have been sparse, in an appearance on the Dudes on Dudes podcast with another former player in Rob Gronkowski, Kraft let a few details spill.
“We made the statue last year,” he began, before revealing why it wasn’t proudly displayed outside Foxborough Stadium. “Tommy started broadcasting, and so we couldn’t get him up. So, we have him coming August 8.”
When Will Tom Brady’s Statue Be Unveiled at Foxborough?
That is the date for the first preseason game of the 2025 season for the Patriots, as they square off against the Washington Commanders in a battle of two quarterbacks going into their sophomore seasons.
While Drake Maye tries to establish himself as the torch-bearer post-Brady, Daniels is coming off arguably the most fantastic season for a rookie quarterback in NFL history. Kraft then gave an approximate estimation of its value as well.
The price tag reflects just how much Brady means to the organization. “We had the privilege of spending seven figures. We have the statue in store in Foxborough. We wanted to present it last year. We’re going to unveil it.” From there, the owner of the most fantastic franchise of the 21st century turned sentimental, speaking about his former employee.
“Besides being a vicious competitor and awesome player, he’s got a heart of gold. One of the finest human beings I’ve ever met in my life.” Now, he and the fanbase celebrate his incredible achievements with one of football’s rarest signs of respect.
The timing makes perfect sense. Brady’s broadcasting commitments kept him busy, but August 8 gives the Patriots a chance to honor their legend in front of the home crowd. Seven figures seems like a bargain for a player who transformed a franchise and redefined what’s possible in professional sports.