Tom Brady is retired
- Thread starter RedOctober3829
- Start date
Agreed. What Mina Kimes said is really true---there literally are zero examples of teammates disliking the guy or saying anything bad about him. Some of that is halo effect, but guys like Jordan (as you note) and Peyton Manning have various teammates and stories about friction ("idiot kicker...") that simply don't exist for Brady.
While I guess you could put his two seemingly-amicable high profile divorces under the category of 'scandals' he has also pretty much avoided any off-field stuff of consequence. I say that because in the end virtually the entire world---even avowed pats haters--save Roger Goodell and ethicless-mouthpiece-for-hire Ted Wells recognized that Deflategate was a complete fraud.
For the record, my favorite Tom Brady moment is when he came out of the tunnel in the Seahawks Super Bowl. After all of the Deflategate crap, I thought for sure he would want to just put his head down and just play the game, but nope, he came out of the tunnel and pumped his fist running around the stadium. That was the moment I said, "Fuck, this guy doesn't give a shit about anything, he really is a psychopath." I've never been more excited for a game.
There's a video that used to be on YouTube where a camera follows him out of the stadium after that win as he walks through the corridors, getting congratulations and high-fives from random people on his way to his plane, just holding a carry-on bag. He strutted like a king, having finally won his 4th Super Bowl, getting the monkey off his back, matching his Idol with 4 rings, and just knowing he was on top of the world. I can't find the video, but I'll never forget it.
There's a video that used to be on YouTube where a camera follows him out of the stadium after that win as he walks through the corridors, getting congratulations and high-fives from random people on his way to his plane, just holding a carry-on bag. He strutted like a king, having finally won his 4th Super Bowl, getting the monkey off his back, matching his Idol with 4 rings, and just knowing he was on top of the world. I can't find the video, but I'll never forget it.
I think he’s going to be a mediocre commentator because of this. Everyone loved Madden, at least once he gave up coaching, but Madden was a different sort of personality. I’m sure Brady is likable and funny in small groups, and you see some of that come through in public appearances, but part of why he’s almost universally liked in the high-ego world of professional football is because he takes care not to give offense. Which is an admirable trait, but not one that makes for compelling television.
True, @mauf but I also think there's a way to be honest as a color commentator without offending people. I mean, I guess some people are thin-skinned and ANY "criticism" will offend, but you can say that wasn't the best throw without ripping a guy.
He's not going to be Romo, and I hope he doesn't even try. He's not funny like Peyton is, so I hope he doesn't try to be that either. I hope he just explains the game, gives his thoughts - even if a bit understated out of a desire to not offend - on what's happening, and sheds light on what's going on. That's all I really need. He has a likable and pleasant voice, so that part won't be a problem. He probably won't be great at it right away - broadcasting is a completely different thing than playing and he'll have a lot to learn. But obviously there are few people who know football better than him, and I just think he'll be able to explain stuff in a way that helps regular people understand what's happening.
A really good play by play guy will be able to get the best out of Brady. Pair him with a schlep and it will be problematic.
He's not going to be Romo, and I hope he doesn't even try. He's not funny like Peyton is, so I hope he doesn't try to be that either. I hope he just explains the game, gives his thoughts - even if a bit understated out of a desire to not offend - on what's happening, and sheds light on what's going on. That's all I really need. He has a likable and pleasant voice, so that part won't be a problem. He probably won't be great at it right away - broadcasting is a completely different thing than playing and he'll have a lot to learn. But obviously there are few people who know football better than him, and I just think he'll be able to explain stuff in a way that helps regular people understand what's happening.
A really good play by play guy will be able to get the best out of Brady. Pair him with a schlep and it will be problematic.
Plenty of really high level QBs were absolute disasters as commentators and their knowledge of the game didn't translate to an ability to convey it in a way that was concise, understandable and entertaining. I think Tom will nail the preparation aspect of the job and will come to gameday as informed and ready as one could possibly be, but I think it's impossible to project if he'll be any good as a TV presence. I'd be much more confident in him being really good pre game guy, breaking down film and giving pre planned opinions.
I also think he's well liked around the league for being a generally nice guy, I've seen occasions in which he's expressed a willingness to criticize players and the level of play around the league in general. A politician type doesn't give the "that motherfucker" blurb or say he's been appalled at the low level of football that's been displayed this season as he did more than once in 2022.
I also think he's well liked around the league for being a generally nice guy, I've seen occasions in which he's expressed a willingness to criticize players and the level of play around the league in general. A politician type doesn't give the "that motherfucker" blurb or say he's been appalled at the low level of football that's been displayed this season as he did more than once in 2022.
I wonder if he’d be good in a three man booth to start. Bring in a comic relief type that Brady can work off. Honestly Gronk would fit that bill, and he’s kind of wasted on the set. The downside is there may be lots of hooting and hollering.
I suspect you’re right. In my fanboy dreams I want him to retire a patriot. One day contract. Kraft encourages BB to get Tom on the active roster so he can go out there in uniform to take a knee at the start of a Patriots home game (preferably the jets). BB agrees and Brady goes out there to thunderous applause. The only exception is Brady doesn’t take a knee and throws a bomb to a streaking (insert wr here) for a TD and then TB12 just runs down the tunnel.
“Fuck that. Go out there and sling it”
We’ll see how well Brady takes to the booth. Who knows if he even will like it. No competition involved. I mean, if someone offers you $2.5 million a game to call it, you probably don’t think too hard. But that is different from having to do it. We will see.
Man that has always bothered me, for two reasons.
1) Of course Bledsoe would say that. If he was QB on that last drive, he'd have been sacked on first down, or would have eventually thrown a pick.
2) Brady did the exact opposite of slinging it. He took multiple check downs and was highly protective of the ball.
I still don't know how he didn't fumble in the very first play of that drive. Just supernatural awareness.
Very true. He talks about it in one of the videos. America's Game, or Tom vs. Time, or Man in the Arena. So many videos. We are blessed.
Not much to say that I didn't say last year, but what a career. I think the luck overall evened out so I'm not complaining, but it's wild to think that if just like, three plays had gone different he could have been 10-0 in Super Bowls. You were just never out of a game with Brady.
Bob Kraft offers a public message / parting words for Brady:
"Tommy, I'm always here for you, you're part of our family. And he was blessed with great parents, his mom and dad are super people, he's got 3 great sisters. I was thinking about it - he was the baby. To have 4 great women like that as a role model, and for him not to be super spoiled, I don't know how it happened. Out there in California, where everything is a little... different than it is here in the northeast. I'll tell ya, I just love the guy so much and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him. And I think he can do a lot of great things for America and reach out to a lot of people. So I'd tell him, thank you for the time you gave us, and everyone here in the New England region loves you, and respects you, and wants happiness for you in your life."
He had previously said he'd like to do the one-day contract thing.
"Tommy, I'm always here for you, you're part of our family. And he was blessed with great parents, his mom and dad are super people, he's got 3 great sisters. I was thinking about it - he was the baby. To have 4 great women like that as a role model, and for him not to be super spoiled, I don't know how it happened. Out there in California, where everything is a little... different than it is here in the northeast. I'll tell ya, I just love the guy so much and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him. And I think he can do a lot of great things for America and reach out to a lot of people. So I'd tell him, thank you for the time you gave us, and everyone here in the New England region loves you, and respects you, and wants happiness for you in your life."
He had previously said he'd like to do the one-day contract thing.
The fact that Bart Scott and Chris Simms do not like Brady tells me he is indeed a wonderful person.
It's even funnier if you phrase it as the only meaningless regular season games he ever played were the last week of the season when his team already had their seed wrapped up.
Since he took over with the Pats in 2021, and obviously not counting 2008 when he missed the entire season (except for half of the first quarter of game 1), here's Brady's finishes in the standings:
NE
1st: 17
2nd: 1 (on a 3rd level tiebreaker)
TB
1st: 2
2nd: 1 (but won the SB that year)
So in 21 seasons, he finished first 19 times, 2nd once when he had the same record as the division winner but lost on a tiebreaker, and then 2nd once and that team went on to win the Super Bowl.
NE
1st: 17
2nd: 1 (on a 3rd level tiebreaker)
TB
1st: 2
2nd: 1 (but won the SB that year)
So in 21 seasons, he finished first 19 times, 2nd once when he had the same record as the division winner but lost on a tiebreaker, and then 2nd once and that team went on to win the Super Bowl.
I don't understand the one-day contract thing. Seems kind of silly and I'm not sure why it matters. I'd rather they have him back for some official retirement press conference and announce a date for a future Tom Brady day at Gillette. Yeah he didn't retire as a Patriot, who cares? Nobody is going to remember him as a Buc, he's a Patriot and always will be.
Tom Brady first appeared in a video game in 1998 - EA's NCAA Football 99 for the original Sony PlayStation.
I was in high school.
I was in high school.
I think not too many people will associate Brady with the Bucs, but his time with the Bucs has done a lot to separate his image and legacy from the Pats too. It's almost as if he exists independent from any organization as his own institution. I feel like something similar happened to Peyton after his retirement: I don't view him as a Bronco, but the Colts aren't what comes immediately to mind either. He's just Peyton Manning.
Especially since one day contracts aren’t even contracts. They’re just PR events. Personally, I don’t need a pretend signing to know what we had. If they want to hold a press conference or something, I'd love that. Build him a statue, add a wing to the HOF, rename the Stadium if you want to. Plenty of ways to celebrate him without pretending that he retired as a member of this organization. He's also still signed to TB, and is likely going to restructure to help them spread the dead cap, making it even sillier.
That said, part of me wants to see it just so I can watch clips of Felger and Mazz whine incessantly.
Well Tom Brady has more Super Bowl championships than any other franchise. And he has more playoff wins than any franchise but like NE and Pit or something bonkers like that.
So Brady essentially is a franchise unto himself.
It would be all kinds of awesome =if this takes place in a week, but I know that's unrealistic. Just as unrealistic of someone in the future with 7 Lombardis as a QB.
Over the course of his majestic career, Tom Brady has 3 games where he has had a perfect passer rating. Can you name them?
10-21-07 at Mia: 21-25 (84.0%), 354 yds, 6 td, 0 int
12-26-20 at Det: 22-27 (81.5%), 348 yds, 4 td, 0 int
11-25-10 at Det: 21-27 (77.8%), 341 yds, 4 td, 0 int
12-26-20 at Det: 22-27 (81.5%), 348 yds, 4 td, 0 int
11-25-10 at Det: 21-27 (77.8%), 341 yds, 4 td, 0 int
Nobody is going to forget the Bucs years. Beating Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, without Belichick, is a significant part of his legacy.
Because I want him back. Even if it's brief. Even if it's entirely ceremonial. Come home, Tommy.
(And maybe brush up against Mac, if you get a sec?.)
I don’t want to pee in anyone’s Cheerios…but saying virtually the entire world recognizes Deflategate was a fraud is 1,000% wrong. Would that it weren’t…but outside New England, Tom being a cheater is taken as a given.
Factor that in and complete the red-hat-shaped hole in the “no off-field scandals” discussion, and the picture gets a little muddier.
Not that it matters. Fuck the haters and all that. Just saying that he may be almost universally loved in the league, but that’s not true in the wider NFL fandom.
I have plenty of friends outside of Boston who hate the Pats and every single one of them said, by the end, it was a fraud (of course, none of them started that way!)
I am sure there's people who don't realize it, but frankly I don't trust the perspective of anyone who can't recognize it. YMMV, of course...
Breaking News: "The New England Patriots have been fined $1M and suffered the loss of their 2024 1st Rd draft pick after being found to have publicly tampered with Tom Brady. Brady, still under contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, claimed to retire, only to sign a 1-day contract with the Patriots after Pats owner Bob Kraft went on national cable tv and made wild overtures to Brady, imploring him to rejoin the team that drafted him in 2000. An anonymous source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that the original complaint came from Indianapolis Colt owner Jim Irsay, who was hoping to sign Brady to a 1 Day contract so Brady could retire a Colt." ~George Santos, New York Giants Assistant to the Assistant General Manager
I’ll leave the red hat stuff for V & N, but the rest of your post is spot on. He’s a cheater, he’s a whiner, he’s soft, they changed the rules to protect him, he gets all the calls………. And on and on. I hear all this stuff from friends in rival fan bases. They’re all shitting in their hats, and I laugh at their petty bitterness, but it’s absolutely out there.
True. Let’s circle back to this when he does it for 20 more years.Same as Mac Jones.
I think people hate Brady the same way NEP fans hate Manning or Mahomes: out of fan competiveness and jealousy that he didn’t play for the team they root for. When you go in with that mindset, it’s easy to find things to hang your hat on.
Most guys I know who aren't Pats fans "sports hate" Brady and Belichick for how they tortured them for 20 years. But if I ask them who's the GOAT QB and Head Coach, the answer is Brady and Belichick. Deflategate and Spygate are things they rib me about, but they know both are kinda BS.
Of course I don't associate much with knuckle-dragging morons, so my experience may not be representative.
Of course I don't associate much with knuckle-dragging morons, so my experience may not be representative.
Similarly, I think most/all Pats fans would acknowledge that Manning was an incredible QB, and Sox fans would acknowledge that Jeter was an incredible SS (at least offensively).
I believe someone on SoSH wrote this, but for 20 years, it felt like Brady was a part of the Patriots story. But the last 3 years have made it clear that it was the opposite; the Patriots were a part of Tom Brady’s story.
As a diehard fan of the Patriots, that kind of saddens me. But I obviously wouldn’t trade
those 20 years for anything.