The historic items that will be displayed in Tom Brady and Jim Gray's ‘Hall of Excellence'
Broadcaster Jim Gray first broached the idea to Tom Brady of creating a memorabilia museum about eight years ago. Given Brady's love for collecting as well as his own treasure trove of personal items, the seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback jumped at the idea of working with Gray, his friend for more than a decade, to put the idea in motion.
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The thought will become a reality next month as Brady, Gray and Gray's wife Frann have teamed up with several helping hands to open the 'Hall of Excellence' museum on June 20 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel. The museum will highlight nearly 300 pieces of memorabilia coming from the closets of Brady and the Grays — including all seven of Brady's Super Bowl rings — as well as items from global sports stars and celebrities, and even other sports Halls of Fame.
'The stories behind these iconic moments in sports and entertainment shouldn't just live in storage or behind closed doors,' Brady told The Athletic. 'They should be experienced. For me, this wasn't just about showcasing trophies or jerseys, it was about capturing the feeling of what it takes to achieve greatness. I've been fortunate to live through some unforgettable moments in my career, but I've also been a fan my whole life.
'I remember what it felt like watching Joe Montana, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, they were larger than life. And I thought: what if we could build a place that honors those journeys, that pursuit of excellence, and do it in a way that truly inspires people? That's what drew me in. We didn't just want to build a museum. … We wanted to create an experience that connects generations to the power of discipline, work ethic, and self-confidence.'
The items headlining the museum's memorabilia list span an array of sports, entertainment and cultural historic moments in the past two centuries including:
The 'Hall of Excellence' will be a self-guided tour, narrated by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman. Visitors will also hear detailed stories and descriptions of artifacts narrated by Winfrey, Brady, Gray, Marv Albert, Jim Nantz, Bob Costas, Mike Emrick, Mary Carillo, Andres Cantor and Snoop Dogg.
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When asked which item excites him the most, Brady said there's almost too many to choose from without leaving several out. But the quarterback turned NFL broadcaster and part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders managed to single out a few pieces that tend to transcend sports and entertainment.
'Michael Jordan's first pair of Air Jordans. I mean, that's the start of a cultural revolution, not just a basketball milestone,' Brady said. 'Jackie Robinson's bat from 1947 isn't just sports history, it's American history. I also love seeing Tiger's ball from his first Masters win. I remember watching that and being in awe of the precision, the calm under pressure, because I tried to bring that same mentality into my own preparation.
'And then, believe it or not, there's something about seeing Oprah's Presidential Medal of Freedom that really moved me. It's a reminder that excellence transcends fields. That's what makes this collection so special, it brings all of those stories together in one place, and reminds you how far self-belief can take you.'
Gray said he'd often dine with former Raiders owner Al Davis and an initial idea started being tossed around from Gray to Davis about creating a Raiders Hall of Fame building and naming it the 'Hall of Excellence.' Gray said even though it's not Raiders specific, he hopes this can represent what the two discussed dating back 30 years ago.
Gray estimated between 60 to 70 percent of the memorabilia items to be displayed come from his own and Brady's collections. Gray said about 20 percent have been loaned from athletes and celebrities with the final 10 percent coming from a variety of sports hall of fame facilities, and even Graceland for Elvis Presley pieces.
'Folks have been willing to help us because they've seen what it is that we're doing and they've so graciously allowed us to have some of their items to display,' Gray said. 'We're not trying in any way, shape, or form to replace, we want to accentuate, and drive people to places like Canton, Ohio (Pro Football Hall of Fame) and Springfield, Massachusetts (Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame). We're giving you special great items, but they're the custodians of the tradition in the history of their leagues and they represent the best of the best. And so they've been nice enough to grant us this access.'
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Now what happens when Brady actually wants to wear one of his Super Bowl rings again?
'You know what, (I) almost never (wear them)!' Brady said. 'They're heavy, they're flashy, and they have tremendous meaning for me, they've never been about wearing them. It's been about showing others how beautiful they are and what they represent. Each one reflects a year of sacrifice, of teammates coming together, of a thousand small wins that added up to one unforgettable moment.
'I've always kept them in a safe place, and when I take them out it's a special thing. That's why displaying them at the 'Hall of Excellence' felt right. Not because I need people to see them, but because I want people to feel what went into earning them. It's not about the diamonds, it's about the journey they represent. And if someone stands in front of that case and thinks, 'I want to chase something like that in my own life,' then it's all worth it.'
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