Tom Brady reacts to classy Birmingham City tribute to Tom Wagner v Leeds United | OneFootball

The Blues owner is currently recovering from a recent stroke

Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner was the subject of two classy tributes from supporters during Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Leeds United at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, with advisory board chairman and NFL icon, Tom Brady, amongst those reacting to such an outpouring of emotion on social media.

It was revealed on Wednesday morning, hours after Blues' goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion in B9, that the American had suffered a stroke, and would be taking a backseat from his day-to-day running of the club in the meantime to ensure as healthy a recovery as possible.

Such news, unsurprisingly, was met with shock and sadness from Bluenoses and the wider footballing community, with those at St. Andrew's swiftly urging the fanbase to rally around Wagner and showcase their reciprocated support towards his ownership throughout Sunday's pulsating cup tie against Premier League opposition.

Unfortunately for Chris Davies and his team, it wasn't quite the result they were hoping for against Daniel Farke's men from West Yorkshire, although it certainly wasn't for a lack of effort and determination showcased throughout 120 minutes of action, before the Championship side were defeated 4-2 on penalties after an initial 1-1 draw.

Despite the defeat, Patrick Roberts' equaliser is likely to be spoken about in the same manner as Tomoki Iwata's thunderbolt at the same stage of the competition against Newcastle United last season, as the experienced winger's curling effort - which took a deflection off James Justin - took the contest into extra-time, although Blues certainly had chances to win the contest before the lottery of spot-kicks.

However, whilst the encounter had all the classic elements of an FA Cup tie, those facets were almost secondary in the lead-up to kick-off in B9 and on the 13th minute, with emotional tributes being paid to the man who has completely transformed the fortunes and outlook of Birmingham in less than three years.

Tom Brady reacts as Birmingham City unveil classy Tom Wagner tribute v Leeds United

It was revealed in the days prior to the match that Blues' Official Supporters Club planned to unveil a 'tifo' in tribute to Wagner ahead of kick-off after receiving a plethora of messages from supporters, who hoped the American would be honoured by the club after all his behind-the-scenes work which has certainly brought the good times back to St. Andrew's.

This was placed in front of the Tilton and unveiled by supporters minutes before kick-off on Sunday lunchtime, with the banner and all LED screens around the stadium reading a message of "Get well soon, Tom. Keep Right On."

An applause was also arranged for the 13th minute of the match, with the stereotypically 'unlucky' number being used in the completely opposite manner by the Blues chief, who opts to associate the double-digits with fortune, and this was acknowledged by all the 28.035 crowd.

With images of the tifo and 13th-minute applause swiftly circulating on social media soon after, including on Blues' official channels, the aforementioned Brady was amongst those to react, with the minority stakeholder and seven-time Super Bowl winner responding to a post on the club's Instagram with three heart emojis, showcasing exactly how he, and all associated with Birmingham, feel about Wagner.

Birmingham City's Tom Wagner tributes were extremely fitting

The aforementioned tributes from the Bluenoses were certainly fitting, as they were given the chance to give something back to their owner, who has done so much in such a short period of time.

Despite being relegated to League One in his first season at the club, Wagner has reinstated a sense of unity and belief at St. Andrew's, and has never been shy about reaching the summit.

The Blues owner has continuously referenced his dream of making the club a major power in English football, and that has been showcased through hefty investment both on and off the pitch, as well as the recently-unveiled plans for the 62,000-seater 'Powerhouse' stadium and Sports Quarter complex, which will open in the coming years.