#BlitzForSix: Thousands attend Patriots Super Bowl send-off rally

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Thousands of New England Patriots fans got chance to cheer on the team Monday morning before they headed off to Minnesota to play the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.

The send-off rally Monday on the NRG Plaza outside The Hall at Patriot Place included remarks from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Danny Amendola and, of course, Tom Brady.

MORE: TB12 by the numbers: Unusual stats that stand out for Tom Brady

"We love all the support," Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola said. "We appreciate all the fans, and we're really happy to get out there and see everyone."

MORE: Patriots hold last Foxboro practice of season

"Our fans have been with us since day one," Patriots left tackle Nate Solder said. "They're always there. They fight through thr thick and thin, and we really appreciate all the support that we get."

MORE: Calling all crazy Patriots fans!

There was also a performance by the Patriots cheerleaders, T-shirt tosses and entertainment from the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums and Foxborough band Thirty 6 Red.

"All the fans coming here, not caring about the weather or anything," Patriots safety Devin McCourty said. "Just trying to cheer us on and send us off the right way. And hopefully that starts the good things that can happen. They send us off in the right way and hopefully we come back in the right way."

Defensive back Duron Harmon prompted the crowd into chanting "MVP!" before introducing Brady.

Quarterback Tom Brady was the last of several players Monday who thanked the fans for their support all season before dropping the mic and walking off stage.

MORE: Where are the stars of Super Bowl XXXIX now?

The event was supposed to begin at 9 a.m., but players and Belichick didn't speak until after 10 a.m.

The team then left Gillette Stadium around 10:45 a.m. to head to the Providence airport for their flight to Minneapolis.

The crowd was kept entertained by the Patriots cheerleaders and the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums, and fed with a 16-foot-by-12-foot Boston cream pie cut into 4,000 pieces.

Associated Press