Tom Brady Enjoys A Happy Homecoming
BOSTON (CBS) -- For the first time in his 17-year career, Tom Brady went home.
Granted, New England is now his "home," a place where he'll never have to buy his own drink and could probably win any local election when his playing days are over. But it was a happy homecoming for the San Mateo native on Sunday, who played the first game of his Hall of Fame career in the Bay Area.
Brady did not disappoint either, throwing four touchdown passes as he guided the Patriots to a 30-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. He was treated to standing ovations and "Brady! Brady!" chants throughout, giving the home of the 49ers a New England feel.
The day was far from picture-perfect, as a steady rain fell for most of the contest and the lowly 49ers kept actually it close. But Brady tossed a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns and walked off the field with career win No. 199, tied with Brett Favre for the second-most by a quarterback in NFL.
It was fitting that as Brady soaked in his final few seconds on the field, a rainbow lit up the sky.
In this case, the somewhere over the rainbow is victory #199 for Tom Brady. @patriots 30 @49ers 17 pic.twitter.com/oa1fVSxhg7
— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) November 21, 2016
With a large collection of family and friends in the crowd and, for once, a road fan base mostly on his side, it was a special day for No. 12.
"It was very cool. It doesn't get any better than that. To have the first chance to ever do that was very special," Brady said after the win. "I felt it in pregame warmup and it carried right to the last play of the game. It was pretty great."
Tom Brady leaving the field after the #Patriots 30-17 win over the 49ers #WBZ pic.twitter.com/CUNuFH1IrN
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) November 21, 2016
Brady spoke of growing up a 49ers fan in the week leading up to Sunday's matchup, and he had the opportunity to meet some of his boyhood favorites on Sunday. He shared a pregame moment with former San Francisco fullback Tom Rathman, who he said he "idolized" after the game, and even got a halftime greeting from three-time Super Bowl champion Steve Young.
"They have a great organization, they always have. They inspired a lot kids here in the Bay Area in my time growing up, and I was one of them," said Brady. "I've always loved the team and the organization. Until 2000, when I loved another team and another organization. That's just the way it goes."