Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker tweeted a photo of the Patriots' plane being loaded up, thanking the Kraft family "and several dedicated partners" for their role in getting protective equipment to front-line workers.
The Boeing 767, which is emblazoned with the team's logo and six Super Bowl victories, departed Shenzhen, China on Wednesday and is expected to land in Boston on Thursday, with Pats owner Robert Kraft and his family having paid a reported $2m towards acquiring the masks.
"It is an honour for our family to be a part of this humanitarian mission," Robert Kraft said in quotes published on ESPN.
"We knew that purchasing greatly needed N95 masks and providing the Patriots plane to expedite their delivery to local hospitals would immediately help protect our courageous healthcare professionals.
"Multiple organisations across the public and private sectors, all of which were in lockstep with governor Charlie Baker's visionary leadership, worked together to execute this mission with the purpose of helping save lives.
"I truly hope that in doing so, we can in some way inspire others to find creative ways to give more in support of our doctors, nurses and first responders. It's nice to care for those who provide such compassionate care for us."
Of the total, 300,000 masks will be sent to nearby New York state, one of the United States' worst-affected regions, where there have been over 83,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
There have been over 210,000 confirmed cases of the virus across the USA, the most of any country in the world, while over 5,000 people have died.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner announced his retirement on Wednesday, bringing an end to a 23-year career in the NFL.
Six of those Super Bowl victories came with the Patriots, but Brady spent the final three years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, Kraft does not want Brady to end his career with that franchise and instead hopes he will sign a one-day contract with the Patriots.
"Not only do I want it, our fans are clamouring for it. To us, he always has been and always will be a Patriot," Kraft told CNN.
"We will do everything in our power to bring him back, have him sign off as a Patriot and find ways to honour him for many years to come.
"He did so much to bring life and good cheer to our community and he's a beloved figure and he's earned the respect and love that people feel for him like no other athlete in our town, and we've had some great ones."
Kraft joined the 'All In Challenge' earlier this month – a digital fundraiser helping to feed those in need amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Bidding for the ring from New England's stunning 34-28 comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 ended on Thursday.
The winner – after 35 bids – forked out $1.025m for the piece after the Patriots created history by overturning a 28-3 third-quarter deficit against the Falcons three years ago.
As part of the deal, the winner will be flown on Kraft's private plane to Gillette Stadium, where they will receive the ring from the 78-year-old in New England's trophy room.
According to the All In Challenge website, more than $45.6m has been raised.
Kraft made the announcement on Sunday to benefit the 'All In Challenge', which has raised more than $38million to feed those in need.
The Patriots owner joined the digital fundraiser, putting up his personal championship ring from New England's stunning 34-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 after the team trailed 28-3 in the third quarter.
The top bidder will be flown on Kraft's private plane to Gillette Stadium, where they will receive the ring from the 78-year-old.
"What could I do that would be special? I've been thinking about it for weeks," Kraft said in a video posted on social media.
"I finally thought about our experience in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons. We were down 28-3 [in the third quarter] and had 99.6 per cent [odds] to lose. And we came back, and we won.
"And I thought about what is going on at this time and wanted to give something of extreme value in support of our health care workers. So I thought it would be good to give this ring, our fifth Super Bowl win, because it showed how we came back."
Brady left the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 after a trophy-laden two-decade spell in New England, where he won six Super Bowl titles.
The 43-year-old quarterback enjoyed immediate success with the Buccaneers, guiding Tampa Bay to victory in Super Bowl LV.
"Well look, I would've loved for him to have retired as a Patriot," Kraft said on Wednesday. "Everybody knew that. But in life, things just happen in a way that you have to balance a lot of things.
"After 20 years, I thought he was entitled to make a decision that was what he thought was best for him, and where he was at. And we gave him the ability to do that."
Brady signed a contract extension with the Bucs through 2022 after helping take down the Kansas City Chiefs.
He threw for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, his passer rating of 102.2 his highest since his MVP season of 2017 (102.8) in his first season with the Bucs.
Only Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes had more completions of 20 yards or more than Brady's 63 as he experienced a revival as a downfield passer in Tampa.
It came as the Patriots struggled to fill Brady's void – Bill Belichick's team missing the postseason for the first time since 2008 with Cam Newton under center.
Kraft said: "Well, after 20 years … with any player, I'll make this commitment to any player in the future: Anyone who spends 20 years with us and helps us win six Super Bowls, we're not gonna keep — look, we could've, contract-wise, kept him in our camp. But it's just not the right thing.
"Naturally, we want to win. But who knows what would've happened if he stayed here? Look what happened at the end of his last season here."
"It's like marriages sometimes," Kraft added. "No one knows on the outside everything going on, and you try to balance a lot. You know … It is what it is."
The Patriots have splashed the cash this offseason in an attempt to bounce back after a disappointing 2020 campaign.
Matthew Judon, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor and Jalen Mills are among the free-agent signings, but Kraft insisted New England's activity has nothing to do with Brady's success in Tampa.
"I mean, look, I love Tom Brady, and he's great. But he's moved on. What happened here last year was not something to our liking. And we had to make the corrections," Kraft said after the Patriots finished with a 7-9 record.
Free agent Brady confirmed on Tuesday that "my football journey will take place elsewhere", bringing an end to a glorious two-decade run in New England that included six Super Bowl titles.
Kraft was the owner when Brady was drafted with the 199th pick of the 2000 NFL Draft and he had said earlier this offseason that he hoped the 42-year-old either remained with the Patriots, or retired.
But Kraft will not get his wish, having spoken with Brady on Monday and being informed of his intentions.
"Tommy initiated contact last night and came over," Kraft explained to ESPN.
"We had a positive, respectful discussion.
"It's not the way I want it to end, but I want him to do what is in his best personal interest.
"After 20 years with us, he has earned that right. I love him like a son."
Brady added that he does not "know what my football future holds", though it is thought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers will be among those keen to acquire the veteran quarterback in free agency.
It was confirmed on Friday that Brady had signed for the Bucs having left the Patriots after 20 seasons with New England.
Kraft was the owner back in 2000 when Brady was selected with the 199th overall pick of the NFL Draft, a selection that brought two decades of success to the franchise.
Mark Katches, the executive editor for the Tampa Bay Times, explained that the Patriots had taken out a full-page advert in Sunday's newspaper titled 'Thank you Tom'.
The message, written by the Kraft family, read: "For 20 amazing years, you gave us everything you had. When you arrived as a sixth-round pick - and the best selection this franchise has ever made - no one imagined all you'd accomplish or how much you'd soon mean to an entire region.
"You now leave New England after two decades of dominance as the GOAT and forever a part of our family.
"Your passion for the game, competitiveness and constant pursuit of excellence resulted in an unprecedented six Super Bowl victories, nine conference championships and 17 division titles.
"You're now recognised as the greatest of all time for what you've accomplished on the field, but you're an even better person.
"Thank you, Tom, for your countless contributions to the New England Patriots, and we wish you and your beautiful family continued success. There will never be another Tom Brady.
"To the Buccaneers fans and Tampa Bay community - take care of him. You got a great one."
Brady and Belichick enjoyed a hugely successful two-decade run as head coach and quarterback in New England, winning six Lombardi Trophies and reaching the Super Bowl on nine occasions.
Yet while Belichick will be back on the New England sideline in 2020, 42-year-old Brady will be elsewhere having confirmed he will be signing elsewhere in free agency.
There have been murmurings that the two have not always seen eye to eye in recent years, yet Belichick paid a glowing tribute to the outgoing Brady in an official statement from the Patriots.
"Tom was not just a player who bought into our programme, he was one of its original creators," Belichick said.
"Tom lived and perpetuated our culture. On a daily basis, he was a tone setter and a bar raiser. He won championships in three of his first four years on the field and in three of his final six seasons with us, while competing for championships in most every season in between.
"This is a credit to Tom's consistency and what separates him. He didn't just perform. He didn't just win. He won championships over and over again.
"Tom and I will always have a great relationship built on love, admiration, respect and appreciation. Tom's success as a player and his character as a person are exceptional.
"Nothing about the end of Tom's Patriots career changes how unfathomably spectacular it was. With his relentless competitiveness and longevity, he earned everyone's adoration and will be celebrated forever. It has been a privilege to coach Tom Brady for 20 years.
"Examples of Tom's greatness are limitless, going back even before he was drafted. We witnessed how he prepared when he wasn't playing, how he performed when he got his opportunity, what he did to continuously improve, his leadership, his mindset, the example he set, and, of course, the person he is. I am extremely grateful for what he did for our team and for me personally.
"Sometimes in life, it takes some time to pass before truly appreciating something or someone but that has not been the case with Tom. He is a special person and the greatest quarterback of all-time."
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who, like Belichick, held his post when Brady was drafted in 2000, admitted it had been his wish to see the quarterback retire in New England.
"I love Tom like a son and I always will," Kraft said.
"He has brought so much happiness to me personally and to all of our fans. I had hoped this day would never come, but rather that Tom would end his remarkable career in a Patriots uniform after yet another Super Bowl championship.
"Unfortunately, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement to allow that dream to become a reality."
Kraft added: "There simply will never be another Tom Brady."
Mention of the Patriots was conspicuously absent from Brady's long retirement note, despite the 44-year-old winning six Super Bowls with the team.
He saw out the final two years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, adding another Super Bowl ring to achieve an unprecedented haul.
Regardless of whether Brady deliberately left the Patriots out of his farewell note, there remains obvious affection from Kraft towards the team's former main man, and Brady later expressed his gratitude for Kraft's message on social media.
Together with coach Bill Belichick, Brady helped New England become the most successful team in the NFL since the turn of the century.
Kraft, chairman and CEO of the Patriots, said: "Words cannot describe the feelings I have for Tom Brady, nor adequately express the gratitude my family, the New England Patriots and our fans have for Tom for all he did during his career. A generation of football fans have grown up knowing only an NFL in which Tom Brady dominated.
"He retires with nearly every NFL career passing record, yet the only one that ever mattered to him was the team's win-loss record. In his 20 years as a starter his teams qualified for the playoffs 19 times. He led his teams to 10 Super Bowls, winning an NFL-record seven championships.
"In a team sport like football, it is rare to see an individual have such a dominant impact on a team's success.
"You didn't have to be a Patriots fan to respect and appreciate his competitiveness, determination and will to win that fuelled his success. As a fan of football, it was a privilege to watch. As a Patriots fan, it was a dream come true.
"I have the greatest respect for Tom personally and always will. His humility, coupled with his drive and ambition, truly made him special. I will always feel a close bond to him and will always consider him an extension of my immediate family."
Brady later expressed his appreciation on Twitter, simply writing: "Thank you Patriots Nation. I'm beyond grateful. Love you all."
