Tom Brady details ‘warm hug’ from Bills fans on Buffalo return, including ‘one-finger salute’

Tom Brady returned to Orchard Park, New York, on Sunday night to call the Buffalo Bills’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles. It was his first time back at Highmark Stadium since playing in the NFL.

There seemed to be no love between Bills fans and Brady. News host Kevin Burkhardt asked Brady during the game if the legendary quarterback received a warm welcome from fans upon his arrival, this time as a color commentator.

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Tom Brady watches before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on October 26, 2025 in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

“Oh, a warm hug,” Brady said. “A lot of people gave me the one-finger salute as I looked down from the press box. I guess it reminded me how much they enjoyed me coming down.”

Burkhardt added: “They said you’re number one.”

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Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott talks with Tom Brady during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 8, 2024. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)

Brady played 20 years for the New England Patriots and three more with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his career, only retiring after the 2022 season. During his time with the Patriots (2000-2019), the Patriots won six Super Bowl titles and 17 AFC East titles. The Bills only won the AFC East after Brady left the division.

Brady owned the Bills his entire career. He went 33-3 against the Bills, throwing for 9,032 passing yards and 72 touchdowns. It was the most wins he had against one team and the most touchdown passes he threw against one team. It was the second-most yards he ever threw against a single team. The only other team he dominated this much was the New York Jets.

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The Bills rallied from a 13-point deficit against the Eagles in the fourth quarter, but came up short. Philadelphia won the game, 13-12.

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