Tom Brady finished his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but some of his old friends at the New England Patriots think he should be forever loyal, cheering loudly for the team this Sunday. For those who have no idea and are just excited to watch Bad Bunny perform, the Seattle Seahawks are taking on the New England Patriots at the Super Bowl. Brady spent 19 years of his life playing for the Patriots.
© Maddie MeyerTom led the Patriots to 6 Super Bowl wins
Earlier this week on the Let’s Go! podcast, Brady said he doesn’t “have a dog in the fight” ahead of the Super Bowl matchup. While it seemed like he was trying to stay neutral and reflect on where he is in life now, it quickly sparked backlash from some of his former teammates, who expected loyalty.
Brady explained that he is in a “different phase” of his life, “I really root for people and the people I care about, the people who I know the work that goes into what they’re trying to accomplish.”
“I really want to sit back as a fan and enjoy the game, enjoy the moment. And I always think, may the best team win. You know, it’s not going to be who I’m cheering for, who I think is going to win. It’s going to be decided by the people out there on the field,” he continued.
© GettyThere is literally a statue of Tom Brady outside Gillette Stadium
“I just want to see good football,” Brady said. “I want to see good plays, good throws, good strategy, good decisions. And that’s the joy in the game for me… I don’t have a dog in the fight in this one. May the best team win.”
The quarterback led New England to six Super Bowl wins and has a 17-foot bronze statue outside Gillette Stadium. As noted by the Los Angeles Times, he declared “I am a Patriot for life!” during his Patriots Hall of Fame induction in June 2024. So when Brady chose not to publicly back New England, former teammates weren’t shy about reacting.
© Jared Wickerham Tom Brady #12 and Vince Wilfork #75 2014
Vince Wilfork called the stance “political bullcrap,” arguing that you can’t claim Patriots-for-life status and then “straddle the fence.” “If you don’t think we’re gonna win, just pick Seattle then. Don’t straddle the fence,” he added.
Damien Woody was even more blunt, saying Brady’s neutrality was “ludicrous,” adding, “You have a statue in Foxborough. Make it known.”
Asante Samuel wrote that he was “highly disappointed” Brady wasn’t rooting for former teammates and current Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, suggesting that Brady wants to be “the only one winning Super Bowls.”
© GettyGronk joked that Tom Brady wants to be the one playing on Sunday
His good friend Rob Gronkowski echoed the sentiment, joking that Brady probably still wants to be the quarterback in the Super Bowl himself.
Yikes!