Brady confirms second knee operation in website posting

BOSTON -- Injured New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady confirmed for the first time this weekend that he had not one, but two operations on his injured left knee.

In a posting on his website dated Saturday, Brady thanked fans for supporting him "during the challenging times" and confirmed that he had surgery on Oct. 6 and again on Wednesday.

"The (first) surgery went well and my doctor described my knee as 'rock solid,'" Brady wrote on tombrady.com. "Unfortunately, in the week following the surgery, I developed an infection. ... We were proactive with the infection and the doctors went in for a second procedure this past Wednesday to clean and to test the wound. The results of the tests have all been positive and we are very thankful."

The Patriots, citing team policy, have not commented on the injury that knocked Brady out of the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs and ended his season. Although Brady has been widely reported to have sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament, he did not give specifics on the injury.

The reigning NFL MVP said he is excited to begin rehabilitating his knee for the 2009 season and told young fans to be prepared for the unexpected.