Miami, FL, November 21, 2023 — It was an honor 20 years in the making.

Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), honored Tom Brady, NFL legend and Best Buddies Global Ambassador with the Spirit of Leadership Award, recognizing his immense contributions to the organization at the 25^th Annual Best Buddies Gala: Miami.

For the past two decades, Brady has served as a Best Buddies Global Ambassador and traveled globally for the organization, hosting and attending events in Boston, Cape Cod, and as far as Qatar. He continues to help Best Buddies with its development efforts through providing memorabilia, writing letters, making phone calls and connecting the organization with his sponsors and supporters. Through these efforts and many others, Brady has helped fundraise more than $100 million to spread inclusion for individuals with IDD.

During the gala, Brady’s 20 years of service and contributions were acknowledged in a special tribute video by several of Brady’s best buddies, including former NFL Tight End Rob Gronkowski, celebrity chef and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Guy Fieri, Actor Matt Damon, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, Best Buddies Global Ambassador Katie Meade.

“I’ve been honored to call you my best buddy over the past 20 years,” Meade said. “You have inspired and touched the lives of people with IDD. Thank you so much for believing in people like me and for your continued support of Best Buddies. I will always be your biggest fan.”