Statements From Patriots Owner Kraft & QB Brady on His Contract

Ian Logue

Sep 11, 2010 at 4:18pm ET

The Patriots just released statements from Patriots owner Robert Kraft and quarterback Tom Brady with reactions to the signing of the veteran's new four year contract.

Brady and the Patriots agreed to terms on a four-year $72-million contract that was announced on Thursday night, and also includes $48.5-million in guaranteed money.

Kraft said in the statement, that the team is fortunate to have Brady, and he's glad this new deal will help continue his tenure heading into the next decade.

New England Patriots quarterback Brady will be a Patriot through 2014 thanks to his new contract. (PHOTO:Icon/SMI)

“We have been very fortunate to have Tom Brady as the quarterback of the New England Patriots for the past decade," said Kraft. "I am glad that this contract extension will allow his tenure to continue well into the next decade. Tom has been a terrific representative for the Patriots and a great leader for this franchise. Since he first arrived, no player has worked harder and been more driven to succeed than Tom. His core values have kept him grounded, despite his many successes, and he remains a consummate professional, both on and off the field. It is much easier to reward a player for his professional accomplishments when you have such respect for him personally and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Tom and for everything he has accomplished in his life. There is no one that I would rather have leading this team and I am happy to reward him with this contract extension.”

Brady has dodged questions all week regarding his contract, and in his own statement he says that it's because he didn't want it to serve as a distraction to any of his teammates.

"I have never been comfortable talking about my contract and certainly didn't want discussions of my contract negotiations to serve as a distraction to any of my teammates as we have been preparing for the Cincinnati Bengals and the start of the 2010 season," said Brady. "However, I do want to express my appreciation to Mr. Kraft and Jonathan Kraft for extending my opportunity to play for the New England Patriots. I am grateful for all that the Kraft family has done for me, both personally and professionally, and for all they have done for my family. Not only have I had the good fortune of playing for just one franchise, I have also played for the greatest head coach and with some of the best teammates a player could ever ask for. My teammates, both past and present, are the main reason why we have accomplished so much over the years. I love playing in New England and appreciate all the support that our fans give us. I look forward to tomorrow's game and the start of another exciting season."