it won't be the most memorable toss Tom Brady makes this week, but it served its purpose.
As the Patriots finished up their send-off rally at Gillette Stadium, members of the team -- including Danny Amendola, Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon -- took to the stage to thank fans for their support. All were welcomed by loud cheers, but the energy level hit its apex when Brady ended the celebration with an emphatic mic drop.
"What's up Patriot Nation? Thank you, guys," Brady said. "Thank you guys for your support all year. It's been an incredible journey. We've got one more to go. It's gonna be fun. It's gonna be a lot of hard work. We're playing a great team, but I tell you what we got a locker room full of guys that are ready for the challenge . . .
"You guys are with us. We know that. You know that. We all know that. Patriot Nation is stronger than ever. We got one more to go. We're gonna go out there and try to win it for you guys. That's all we got. We love you. Patriots out!"
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Then the microphone went airborne.
Brady's teammates on the stage went wild (notice McCourty?) and swarmed him. Then the quarterback connected on high-fives with team president Jonathan Kraft and coach Bill Belichick. Moments later, the team was piled into buses and headed to TF Green Airport in Providence to make its way to Minneapolis.
Here are a few of the other highlights from the stage at the rally . . .
Jonathan Kraft introducing Bill Belichick: "Everyone who works in the football operation in this building is managed by the greatest to ever manage or coach in this game. And while there have been a handful of exceptional coaches to work in the NFL, none of them coached in the 32-team era, none of them coached in the salary-cap era, unrestricted free agency -- the man who does it all, the greatest of all time, coach Bill Belichick."
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Belichick thanking fans: "You guys were great last Sunday. It was awesome. For those of you going to Minnesota, we'll see you there. For those of you who aren't, I know you'll be cheering your hearts out back here, and we'll see you Monday. Thank you."
