I’m one who took issue with Brady’s lack of acknowledgment of the Patriots in his “retirement” statement (although now knowing that whole deal was contrived and he never really intended to walk away this year, it makes a bit more sense as to why his “goodbye” was exclusive to the Bucs at that point in time).
At any rate, I don’t take issue with the lack of acknowledgment because I believe I deserve any personal credit for the teams’/players’ successes; I take issue with the lack of acknowledgment because those journeys were damn meaningful to me and we were all on that ride together. The playoff losses from 2005-2012 hurt like the hell. The agony of defeat, and finally the sweet catharsis when they beat Seattle (and the subsequent Super Bowl victories). Those were gut-wrenching, awesome, inspiring journeys that had us experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows one can feel while watching sports.
I don’t want the players to personally thank me for the outcome of their respective careers, but it sure would mean a lot to acknowledge and show appreciation for the folks who shared those seasons, journeys, and moments with the players; the folks who screamed their lungs out, sat in the elements, ice cold rain, snow and wind, who invested a ton of emotional energy rooting for the team and players, who paid hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to watch these legends play. Those guys were special to me; they were memorable parts of my adolescence and young adulthood.
Did I do anything to create the success the players achieved? No. Do I deserve personal credit for their careers? No. But when they retire from football, for real or not, whether it’s the first, second, third, or tenth time, would it sure feel nice to hear something like this?
“We realize the time we spent in New England meant a lot to a lot of people. Thank you, Patriots’ fans, for sharing that journey with us. We appreciate you all”.
Yes, 100%, absolutely, it would mean a lot (to me at least) to hear/read your sports idols say that (or something along those lines) when they publicly announce their retirement.