FOXBORO -- Next Sunday's Patriots-Rams Super Bowl will be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI, which took place 17 years ago.

The only player who will get to play in both is Tom Brady, which speaks to just how long Brady has been able to play the game.

The 41-year-old reflected on his time in New England on Saturday, which is now in its 19th year, and Brady noted he's been with the Patriots longer than he was with his parents at home growing up.

"I was raised by a great mom and dad who were very important in my life, still are, and I think they taught me some really great lessons when I was a kid," he said. "My mom’s – I think some of you guys have met her – she’s probably the sweetest person I’ve ever met in my life. I get a lot from her. My dad is very loving, empathetic and I get a lot from him. My family, my sisters were very competitive growing up. I got a lot from them. And then just being a part of some really great teams, I learned a lot. My college experience was really good for me, challenging but great. I learned to grow up a lot, from a kid from California to grow up to be a kid in the Midwest and it was a different level of competition.

"And then to come to the pros and go be further away from California and to be away from there for 19 years – I was joking with Dante [Scarnecchia] and Ivan [Fears], I’ve been with them longer than I’ve been with my parents and with Coach [Bill] Belichick longer than that and Mr. [Robert] Kraft and so many people have been here for as long as I have and really this has become my home. I can’t say enough good things. I just love it and I love playing. Like I said, many of those things are still the same. I loved playing then, I still love playing now. I don’t take anything for granted, I really don’t. I enjoy it. I think we all work hard at it but to get to this point is really exceptional.

"I’m proud of the guys for making the commitment and it’s certainly not easy. I think everyone at this point is tired and worn down but at the same time, you have one of the great opportunities in your life. This is a memory you’ll have forever and I really hope we can go out and take advantage of it. The Rams have worked equally as hard. They’ve got a great team. They do well in all phases just like all the teams we’ve played in this game. It’s a very difficult game to win. I’m excited for it. I’m going to try to get as much rest as I can and try to go out and play our best game of the year when we need it the most."

The Patriots and Rams will meet in Atlanta a week from Sunday.