One worn-out high school football team in Maine received brand-new gear from Tom Brady after he spotted a viral photo of their taped-together helmets
The team’s captain said they’d been using the same uniforms for 6 years. When the boxes arrived, one unexpected item inside left the boys speechless.

Tom Brady Surprises Maine High School Football Team with New Gear After Viral Photo of Taped-Together Helmets

In a heartwarming gesture that has captured the attention of sports fans across the country, NFL legend Tom Brady gifted a struggling high school football team in Maine with brand-new gear after a viral photo of their taped-together helmets caught his eye. The team, the Penobscot Pirates from a small coastal town in Maine, had been making do with worn-out equipment for years. When the boxes of new gear arrived at their school, the players were thrilled—but it was an unexpected item tucked inside that left the team, particularly its captain, speechless.

The Penobscot Pirates, representing Penobscot High School, a small public school with fewer than 300 students, have faced financial challenges for years. The football team, a source of pride for the tight-knit community, had been using the same uniforms and helmets for six seasons. The equipment, patched together with duct tape and grit, was a testament to the team’s determination but also a stark reminder of their limited resources. “We’d been taping up the helmets for years,” said team captain Ethan Carter, a 17-year-old senior. “The pads were falling apart, and the uniforms were faded, but we kept playing because we love the game.”

The team’s plight came to light in early July 2025, when a photo of their dilapidated helmets went viral on social media. Posted by a local parent on X, the image showed cracked helmets held together with layers of duct tape, sparking outrage and sympathy from users who tagged NFL players, including Brady, in hopes of drawing attention to the team’s needs. “These kids deserve better,” one post read. “@TomBrady, you’re a New England legend—can you help?” The post amassed over 50,000 likes and reached Brady, who has deep ties to the region from his 20-year tenure with the New England Patriots.

Brady, now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and a Fox Sports NFL analyst, has a history of supporting youth sports, including a notable donation to his alma mater, Serra High School in San Mateo, California, for travel costs to a state championship game. Moved by the Penobscot Pirates’ story, Brady quietly coordinated with his TB12 Foundation and local contacts in Maine to provide the team with a complete set of new gear, including helmets, pads, uniforms, and cleats. The delivery arrived at Penobscot High School on August 10, 2025, just as the team was preparing for the upcoming season.

“When the boxes showed up, we thought it was a mistake,” Coach Mike Larson told The Bangor Daily News. “Then we saw the note from Tom Brady, and the kids went wild.” The note, addressed to the team, read: “Pirates, you’ve got heart and grit. Keep playing hard and representing your community. This gear’s for you. — Tom Brady.” The players tore open the boxes, revealing sleek new Riddell SpeedFlex helmets—similar to the ones Brady wore during his NFL career—along with crisp red-and-white uniforms and top-of-the-line shoulder pads.

But it was an unexpected item in one of the boxes that stopped the team in their tracks. Tucked inside was a signed football from Brady himself, inscribed with the message: “To the Pirates: You’re the future of this game. Stay hungry.” The team gathered around the ball, passing it carefully from player to player, their usual chatter replaced by stunned silence. “We couldn’t believe it,” Carter said. “A football signed by Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback ever, just for us? It felt like a dream.”

The signed football has since been placed in a display case in the school’s trophy room, where it serves as a source of inspiration for the team. “It’s not just about the gear,” Coach Larson said. “That ball, that message—it’s a reminder to these kids that someone believes in them, that their hard work matters.”

The new gear has given the Pirates a much-needed boost as they head into the 2025 season. The team, which went 4-5 last year, is hoping to compete for a regional championship in Maine’s Class D division. “We feel like a real team now,” Carter said. “The new uniforms make us stand taller, and knowing Tom Brady’s rooting for us? That’s huge.”

The story has resonated deeply in Maine, where high school football is a cornerstone of community life. Local businesses have rallied to support the Pirates, with some offering to sponsor team meals and transportation. The viral photo that sparked Brady’s donation has also prompted broader discussions about funding for small-school athletic programs. “A lot of rural schools like ours struggle to keep sports going,” Larson noted. “What Tom did—it’s shining a light on that.”

Brady, true to form, has downplayed his role in the gesture. During a recent Fox Sports broadcast, he briefly mentioned the Pirates, saying, “Those kids in Maine are tough. They just needed a little help to keep doing what they love.” Fans on X have praised Brady’s generosity, with one user writing, “Tom Brady is still the king of New England. This is why we love him.” Another commented, “From taped-up helmets to a signed ball from the GOAT—those kids will never forget this.”

The Penobscot Pirates are now preparing to honor Brady’s gift by dedicating their season to him. The team plans to send Brady a thank-you video and has invited him to their homecoming game in October, though his busy schedule as a broadcaster and Raiders owner may prevent him from attending. “Even if he can’t come, we know he’s with us in spirit,” Carter said.

For the Pirates, the new gear and Brady’s signed football are more than just equipment—they’re symbols of hope and resilience. As they take the field this season, they’ll carry with them the knowledge that their hard work caught the eye of a legend, proving that even in a small town in Maine, big dreams can come true.