FOXBOROUGH – American football legend Tom Brady recently used the unveiling of his statue in front of the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to send a political signal: At his lapel, he was wearing the blue pin of the campaign “Stand up to Jewish” (“Remove against Jewish hatred”)-A symbol of Patriot’s owner Robert Kraft founded foundation to combat anti-Semitism.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion made it unequivocally clear that solidarity with the Jewish community is a matter close to his heart. Brady, who otherwise holds back with political statements, said to fans and media: “Solidarity is timeless – and anti-Semitic hatred has no place here.”

He had made his attitude public earlier: after the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7th, he said that “there should be no gray area in the conviction of these attacks”. His family pray for all innocent victims in Israel and Gaza.

Personal references also shape his commitment. Brady’s sister is married to the former baseball professional Kevin Youkilis, who is jewish, and he also combines a close friendship with the Jewish ex-patriot star Julian Edelman. In 2006 Brady traveled to israel for the first time, visited past sites, met soldiers and was impressed by the country’s resistance.

The “Stand Up To Jewish Hate” campaign relies on visibility, from Super Bowl spots to Brady’s appearance in Foxborough. The fact that one of the largest US athletes positions themselves so clearly gives the message weight: anti-Semitism has no place, neither in the stadium nor in society.

“Solidarity is timeless – and anti-Semitic hatred has no place here.”