Tom Brady bought back 1 broken-down ice cream truck in San Mateo that used to serve his neighborhood
The original owner, now 82, thought it had been scrapped for good. When Brady handed him the keys to the fully restored truck, he also revealed one more surprise inside the freezer.

Tom Brady Restores Childhood Ice Cream Truck in Heartwarming San Mateo Reunion

In a nostalgic nod to his roots, Tom Brady, the legendary NFL quarterback widely regarded as the greatest of all time, has made headlines not for his athletic prowess but for a touching act of kindness in his hometown of San Mateo, California. Brady recently purchased and restored a dilapidated ice cream truck that once served his childhood neighborhood, surprising its original owner, an 82-year-old local named Frank Russo, with a fully restored vehicle and an unexpected treasure hidden inside its freezer. This heartwarming story, blending sentimentality with Brady’s characteristic flair for the dramatic, has captured the attention of fans and residents alike, offering a glimpse into the softer side of a sports icon.

A Journey Back to San Mateo

Tom Brady, born Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. on August 3, 1977, in San Mateo, grew up in a close-knit community where the jingle of an ice cream truck was a hallmark of summer days. Raised in a Catholic household as the only son of Galynn Patricia and Thomas Brady Sr., young Tom was a fixture in the neighborhood, often seen playing sports with friends or chasing after the ice cream truck for a frozen treat. The truck in question, a 1960s Chevy model outfitted with a cold plate refrigeration system, was a beloved fixture in the Portola Drive area during the 1980s, a time when Brady was attending Junípero Serra High School and dreaming of football stardom.

The truck, operated by Frank Russo, a third-generation ice cream vendor, was more than just a vehicle—it was a symbol of community. Russo, who began driving ice cream trucks in the 1960s, had purchased the Chevy in 1975 and spent decades serving the children of San Mateo. With its green fenders and hand-painted logo, the truck was a familiar sight, its bell ringing through the streets as kids like Brady rushed out with pocket change for a Popsicle or a soft serve cone. But by the early 2000s, the truck had fallen into disrepair, its refrigeration system failing and its body rusted from years of coastal air. Russo, nearing retirement, sold it to a scrapyard, believing its days of service were over.

Brady’s Nostalgic Mission

Fast forward to 2025, and Brady, now 48 and retired from a 23-year NFL career that included seven Super Bowl titles, found himself reflecting on his San Mateo roots. After a storied tenure with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady has transitioned into a role as Fox Sports’ lead color commentator, but his heart remains tied to the Bay Area. Inspired by childhood memories and a desire to give back, Brady embarked on a mission to track down the old ice cream truck. Using his resources and connections, he discovered that the vehicle had narrowly escaped the crusher and was languishing in a Northern California salvage yard.

Brady purchased the truck in late 2024 and enlisted the expertise of Bay Area Classics, a San Mateo-based restoration shop known for reviving vintage vehicles. The restoration process was meticulous, involving a complete overhaul of the truck’s engine, body, and refrigeration system. The team replaced rusted panels, repainted the exterior in its original green and white color scheme, and restored the hand-painted logo, recreated by a local artist based on old photographs provided by Russo’s family. The cold plate freezer, a hallmark of 1960s ice cream trucks, was modernized with energy-efficient technology while preserving its retro aesthetic.

The project took nearly six months, with Brady personally involved in key decisions, from sourcing authentic parts to ensuring the truck’s jingle—a familiar tune from his childhood—was faithfully reproduced. “This truck was part of my childhood,” Brady said in an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area. “Every time I heard that bell, it was like a call to joy. I wanted to bring that back for Frank and for San Mateo.”

The Surprise Reunion

In a carefully orchestrated event in August 2025, Brady invited Russo to a community gathering at a San Mateo park near his childhood home. Russo, now 82 and retired, had no idea what awaited him. As he arrived, he was greeted by a crowd of neighbors, former customers, and local media, with Brady standing beside the gleaming, fully restored ice cream truck. The sight brought tears to Russo’s eyes. “I thought she was gone forever,” Russo said, running his hand over the truck’s polished fender. “This was my life’s work, and to see it like this again—it’s overwhelming.”

Brady handed Russo the keys, officially returning the truck to its original owner. But the surprises didn’t end there. Brady invited Russo to open the freezer, where he found a heartfelt note and a small, locked box. The note read, “Frank, you brought sweetness to our neighborhood. Now it’s our turn to give back.” Inside the box was a set of vintage coins—exact replicas of the ones Russo used to collect from kids like Brady in the 1980s—along with a check for $50,000 to support Russo’s retirement and fund a local youth sports program in his name. The crowd erupted in applause as Russo, visibly moved, embraced Brady.

A Community Celebration

The event was more than just a handover; it was a celebration of San Mateo’s tight-knit community and the shared memories that bind it. Brady, who attended the 1981 NFC Championship game at Candlestick Park as a four-year-old and grew up idolizing Joe Montana, spoke about the importance of giving back to the place that shaped him. “San Mateo is where I learned to compete, to dream, and to chase after what I love,” he said. “This truck is a piece of that history, and I wanted to honor Frank and everyone who made those summers special.”

Local residents, many of whom remembered Russo’s truck, shared stories of racing to catch it after school or saving up for a special treat. “Frank was like a superhero to us kids,” said Bobby Aguirre, a childhood friend of Brady’s. “He’d always toss in an extra piece of candy or let you slide if you were a few cents short.” The restored truck, now fully operational, made its first post-restoration run at the event, serving free ice cream to children and adults alike, with Brady and Russo manning the window together.

A Legacy Beyond the Field

This gesture adds to Brady’s growing legacy as a philanthropist and community advocate. While his TB12 brand and avocado ice cream recipe have become cultural touchstones, it’s acts like this that reveal his deeper connection to his roots. The restored ice cream truck will remain in San Mateo, operated by a local nonprofit that plans to use it for community events and fundraisers, ensuring Russo’s legacy lives on.

For Russo, the reunion was a poignant reminder of his decades of service. “I never thought I’d see this truck again, let alone like this,” he said. “Tom didn’t just bring back a truck; he brought back memories.” The surprise inside the freezer—the coins and the check—symbolized a full-circle moment, connecting Brady’s childhood to Russo’s life’s work.

A Touchdown for Nostalgia

Brady’s restoration of the ice cream truck is a testament to the power of nostalgia and the impact of small, meaningful gestures. In an era where ice cream trucks are becoming less common, replaced by modern food trucks or delivery apps, this story resonates as a celebration of simpler times. For San Mateo, it’s a reminder of the community spirit that endures, embodied by a quarterback who never forgot where he came from and an ice cream man who brought joy to generations.

As the truck’s jingle echoed through the park, kids lined up, just as Brady once did, proving that some traditions never fade. With the keys back in Russo’s hands and a surprise that touched his heart, Brady scored yet another touchdown—this time, off the field.