Morning Sports Update
The ovation occurred during Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Randy Moss on the standing ovation he received from Patriots fans: Among the numerous memorable sequences during Tom Brady’s recent induction into the Patriots’ Hall of Fame was an emotional reception for former wide receiver Randy Moss.
Moss, who was brought onstage at the event as part of a panel alongside fellow former Patriots Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker, was treated to an impromptu and heartfelt standing ovation from thousands of Patriots fans. He reacted with visible emotions as the ovation continued.
During a recent interview with NFL reporter Kay Adams on the “Up & Adams” podcast, Moss discussed why the moment caught him off guard, and why it meant so much.
Initially, he noted how he was already emotional prior to the start of the event, especially after seeing Brady beforehand.
“I wanted to speak to him before everybody got there,” Moss said of Brady. “I was like, ‘I won’t see you afterward, just wanted to tell you thank you.’ Just our little one-on-one intimate moment, and Tom is like, ‘Dude, don’t get me crying right now.’”
Moss, continuing to try and be a good teammate, was also conscious of trying to not grab any of the spotlight. Yet when the ovation started (and didn’t stop), he was moved by the display from Patriots fans.
“We go up on stage, and I was always told, ‘Hey, this moment is about Brady, his greatness.’ So the standing ovation happened, [I was] waiting for them to stop, waiting for it to end, and all of a sudden it kept going,” he said. “I think my emotions just got the best of me. It really felt good, but I don’t even know where the hell the tears came from. They just came, so I think that’s a part of my life now where tears just fall at weird times.”
Moss made a larger point with Adams, explaining how the experience of modern professional athletes has affected their sense of appreciation amid constant team transactions and player movement.
“When you go from one organization to another, a lot of athletes don’t feel appreciated, because you hear a lot of times where a guy gets traded and he never wanted to leave that city,” said Moss. “I’m not talking about myself, I’m talking about just in general.”
But given the prolonged ovation from Patriots fans, Moss was asked if he felt love from New England.
“I really did,” he replied. “And I’m very thankful for it.”
Trivia: Can you name all five NFL teams that Randy Moss played for?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Two in the NFC, three in the AFC.
Scores and schedules:
The MLB All-Star Game gets underway tonight at 8 p.m. The game is being played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Tomorrow, the Revolution will be in Philadelphia to play the Union at 7:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Sure, why not: As today is the MLB All-Star Game, enjoy Pedro Martinez’s legendary performance from the one that took place at Fenway Park 25 years ago this week.
Doug Flutie’s Michael Jordan story: The former quarterback told Julian Edelman about the time he played pickup basketball against Jordan and the Bulls.
On this day: In 1998, the Red Sox crushed Cleveland 15-5 with Nomar Garciaparra going 4-for-4 with five RBIs, including two doubles and a home run. Tim Wakefield got the win for Boston, pitching 7.1 innings with six strikeouts (while Derek Lowe got four outs to end the game and record the save).
Daily highlight: Jayson Tatum showcased his athleticism in the U.S. exhibition win over Australia in the buildup to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Trivia answer: Vikings, Raiders, Patriots, Titans, 49ers
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