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Tom Brady statue unveiling draws mixed reactions
“It’s an expression of the man himself, unexpected, bigger than life, and always victorious.”
A newly unveiled statue of Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium has sparked a wave of debate among Patriots fans, with reactions ranging from praise to disappointment.
The 12-foot statue, which the New England Patriots unveiled on Friday, captures the legendary quarterback in a stoic post-victory pose and was intended as a tribute to his historic career. However, after being revealed to the public, it has left some Boston.com fans divided.
In a recent poll by Boston.com, 1,334 respondents weighed in on the statue, with opinions running the gamut. Of those, 521 readers rated the statue as “awful,” 476 felt it was “okay,” and 337 gave it an enthusiastic “I love it!”
What do you think of the Tom Brady statue at Gillette Stadium?
I love it!
25%
It's OK.
36%
It's awful.
39%
For some fans, the statue’s minimalist design and subdued pose resonate deeply. “It captures his emotions after a win. Stoic, triumphant, but onto the next,” said Andy from Charlestown. Supporters of the statue argue that the pose perfectly reflects Brady’s personality: focused, humble, and constantly looking toward the next challenge.
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However, not everyone agrees with this interpretation. Many readers expressed disappointment that the statue lacked excitement or energy.
“There were many other poses they could’ve used. I think this one was boring,” said Tom from Worcester.
While the statue’s intentions were clear – to honor Brady’s legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time – the execution has left many questioning whether it truly captures the spirit of his achievements.
“He should be holding the Lombardi trophy,” reader Jim from Medfield said.
Some of the most vocal critics focused on the statue’s craftsmanship, specifically its proportions. Mitch G. from Newton said he thought the “proportions are way off. The pose is uninspiring.”
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Regardless of opinion, the statue has undoubtedly achieved its goal of honoring the larger-than-life icon that is Tom Brady.
Below, readers share their thoughts on the new Tom Brady statue at Gillette Stadium.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
What do you think of the Tom Brady statue at Gillette Stadium?
It’s awful.
“There’s a level of absurdity in this, regardless of what you think of Brady. 12 foot tall statues should be reserved for Godzilla and King Kong.” – Elizabeth H., Harvard
“Stiff and uninspiring. Anatomically a bit wonky. And it bears no resemblance to Brady at all. Does not convey his grace and athleticism.” – Josephine, Brookline
“This statue appears to depict a laborer from the Gilded Age/Reconstruction era of the late 1800’s, or possibly a nondescript football player from the 1930’s. The spirit and essence of the Patriot’s 20 year dynasty is not conveyed by this large, bronze figure.” – Terry, Norwood
“It invokes zero emotion. It immediately reminded me of Judd Nelson from The Breakfast Club.” – Dennis, Gloucester
“The statue is not proportional. The arms are too long. The head is too small. The pose is fine, but not great.” – Dave, Boxford
It’s OK.
“I like the idea, but if you really look at it, the head is disproportionately smaller than it should be. I think that leaves a rather odd disconnect between the head and the body. But it is okay. And I appreciate that the sculptor worked so hard on it.” – Linda S., Quincy
“Tom Brady throwing a football was a motion of pure beauty, not to mention the fact that his throws almost always ended up just the way he wanted them to. A statue showing Tom in his throwing motion would have been a better subject. Anybody can stand with their right hand raised. Nobody can throw a ball like Tom.” – Doug S., Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (formerly of Cranston, Rhode Island)
“The Bobby Orr statue set the standard for Boston sports legends. It was an iconic pose. The Brady statue, while nice, is hardly iconic.” – Justin S., Lowell
“How could they not put the number 12 on his jersey? It looks weird being blank like that.” – Jim, Acton
I love it!
“For what Tom (and his team) accomplished in his tenure with NE, the statue is appropriate and very much deserved. The statue itself represents Tom in a very appropriate fashion with the connections to 17 (AFC East titles), 12 feet tall (Tom’s jersey number), and 6 sided pedestal (his Super Bowl titles).” – Rich C., North Truro
“Many stadiums have great statues outside them that provide a glimpse into the greats that put their stamp on a franchise. It’s fitting that Tom Brady is the first at Gillette.” – John, Shrewsbury
“It’s an expression of the man himself, unexpected, bigger than life, and always victorious. I love Tom, and I will love this statue as a reflection of the glory #12 brought to New England – then to Tampa, where my wife and I moved at the same time Tom moved.” – Ron C., Tampa, Florida (formerly of Clinton)
“What struck me is that the face actually looked more like Tommy than I thought it would. Most of the time these statues look nothing like the honoree. Good job Buccacio team! Good job Patriots honoring the GOAT.” – J.M., Belchertown
“While on TV, I thought it was just ok, we stopped yesterday to see it in person and really thought it was a job well done. While the head isn’t quite in proportion to the rest of the body, the details are amazing and it really does look like Brady!” – Kim, Burlington
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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