PHOTOS: Record Crowd Flocks to Foxborough for Start of Patriots Camp

The largest crowd in 53 years of New England Patriots training camp practices arrived in Foxborough Thursday to welcome the return of professional football and cheer on their favorite players.

But for most fans, the thrill of the day came after practice when thousands of children and adults crowded the yellow rope around the perimeter of the practice fields as they anxiously awaited the chance for their favorite player's autograph.

Some fans were fortunate enough to score signatures from the likes of Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker and Vince Wilfork. But fans beamed with excitement with every signature they received from every player.

Even Patriots great Troy Brown was walking the rope after practice to sign autographs for fans.

The final attendance figures for Thursday's practice was 12,136 – the largest single-session attendance ever for training camp (excluding in stadium practices), according to Jeff Cournoyer, Patriots Director of Corporate Communications.

"It seems like it gets bigger every year," Cournoyer said. "It's just a great experience with the proximity to the players, autographs, Fan Zone and all of the amenities at Patriot Place. You can really make a family day out of it."

And that's exactly what 12,136 spectators did Thursday despite the threat of severe weather and the practice starting at 1:30 p.m. on a workday.

View the photos above for scenes from Thursday's crowd and fans' interactions with players.