Tom Brady Calls Mom Galynn the ‘Most Loving Person I’ve Ever Known’

Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots hugs his mother Galynn after the Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images — Tom Brady and his mom Galynn. Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty

Tom Brady has two reasons to celebrate on the Fourth of July!

On Thursday, July 4, the former NFL quarterback posted a tribute to his mom Galynn Brady on Instagram for her 78th birthday.

"I always thought it was appropriate the country took a day off to celebrate my mom… she deserves it!" Tom 46, wrote in the caption of a carousel of photos. "Happy Birthday to the most thoughtful, caring, loving person I’ve ever known."

In this Feb. 4, 2012, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hugs his mother, Galynn, in Indianapolis. The Patriots visited with family and friends on the field the day before they are scheduled to face the New York Giants in NFL football Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5. — Tom Brady hugging his mom.
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

The caption concluded: "Thank you for being who you are, and giving all of us something to aspire to 🎂🎉 Thank you for your love and commitment and support of your family always! ❤️❤️❤️."

The set included photos of Galynn beaming while holding a shopping bag and posing with her husband, Tom Brady Sr.

She also posed in individual photos with Tom and his two youngest kids, Benjamin Rein, 14 and Vivian Lake. Galynn is also a grandmother to the former New England Patriots quarterback's eldest son Jack, 16.

Tom Brady Calls Mom Galynn the Most Loving Person Ever Known — Galynn holding a shopping bag.
Tom Brady/Instagram

Tom shares Jack with his ex Bridget Moynahan and Benjamin and Vivian with his ex-wife Gisele Bündchen.

Galynn, a former TWA flight attendant and a mom of four, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2016 and underwent five rounds of chemotherapy treatment. In 2017, she spoke to NFL Network about how it felt to be cleared to attend Super Bowl LI, where Tom and the Patriots pulled off a comeback win against the Atlanta Falcons.

"I just wanted to be there for Tommy, and I wanted to be there with our family," she shared in the interview. "Everybody was going to the Super Bowl and I didn't want to miss that."

Galynn is also mom to Tom's older sisters: Maureen, Julie and Nancy. All of her children were athletes in some form — Maureen, for example, was a champion softball player.

In a June 2017 interview with Boston Globe, Tom Sr. revealed that Galynn was now in good health.

Tom Brady Sr. and Galynn Patricia Brady attend the Fontainebleau Las Vegas Star-Studded Grand Opening Celebration on December 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. ( — Tom Brady Sr. and Galynn Brady in 2023.
Vivien Killilea/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"She is doing great," he said. "She is getting out and playing golf and tennis and looks wonderful."

On Galynn's birthday weekend in 2023, Tom shared family photos from the golf course.