Based on the number of Tom Brady Buccaneers jerseys being bought, it seems like a lot of fans already knew what was in store: that Brady would be carrying his signature #12 right over into his new team affiliation.
But on Tuesday, The Buccaneers made it official. Brady will continue to sport #12, just like he has for the last 2 decades with the Patriots.
This comes at the willingness of teammate and former #12-er, wide receiver Chris Godwin, who agreed to switch to No. 14 after three seasons with the big 1-2. Despite the fact that Godwin has also been repping #12 since his high school and college days, it seems he took the initiative to offer the number to the legendary newcomer – though whether it was a totally clean switch is still unclear.
Out of respect for what he’s done, what he’s accomplished and just the career he’s built for himself, you have to lean into that respect. We’ll see how that goes.
In the end, what Godwin wants most is the ball – and he hopes together with Brady, he’ll get plenty of catches and they can bring the greater good to the team.
When it comes to Brady leaving the Patriots, new insights have been emerging. Fans have been divided between those who were certain he’d stay with his long-term team and those who were already convinced that he’d leave. But as someone who’s caught 672 passes from Brady, Wes Welker – former Patriot wide receiver and current coach with the 49ers – weighed in with his refreshing perspective.
“[As a fan] you kind of hate to see it just because he’s been there for so long,” he said, while explaining that Brady was right to want a new challenge. “[But] I’m excited for him to see something else, to see something new and different things like that, as a friend. I think he’s just excited to play football. Tom just wants to play ball. It’s another challenge for him in his mind, I’m sure, of proving people wrong. He doesn’t have to be in New England to be great. And he’s going to take on that challenge, and I guarantee you he’s going to be full steam ahead with it.”