Given how long Tom Brady has been in the NFL, you'd think he'd would've played a game against the 49ers by the Bay. But, the only time he had the chance to (in 2008), Brady was out with a torn ACL.

Growing up, the four-time Super Bowl champion Brady rooted for another four-time Super Bowl champion: Joe Montana. His youth was spent in nearby San Mateo, idolizing the quarterback he'd eventually match (and possibly exceed) in terms of Super Bowl success.

Unfortunately, Brady never had the opportunity to play at Candlestick Park, the venue he regularly attended with his family. But, it will still be a special occasion when the Patriots visit Levi's Stadium this Sunday.

When asked if this game will have some added significance for him, Brady gave a thoughtful answer. Transcribed on Patriots.com:

Well, I've never had a chance to play in front of my family like this. I've never had a chance to play in front of my friends. Growing up in the Bay Area and loving football, it was a great time for me to grow up and see the success of the 49ers and the great quarterbacks, Steve [Young] and Joe [Montana] and what they were able to do. I was lucky to grow up in the Bay Area at that time and I always remember it being all the Super Bowl rallies and my mom taking me out of school and banging pots and pans on the El Camino after they would win Super Bowls. Those memories never go away.

Brady also spoke about being in the crowd for “The Catch” by Dwight Clark:

Yeah, I was, I think four years old and my parents brought me. I cried – I wanted one of those foam fingers and I cried the entire first half. Finally, my dad bought me one to shut me up for the second half. I think I have a picture of it. It was just a great – I remember we were on the opposite side of the stadium, and I started crying when everyone jumped up and screamed at the end when Dwight [Clark] made the catch. I still have those memories.

Here's the play that sparked the 49ers' dynasty: