When a longtime teammate of your brother leaves, you might be feeling the tension. But according to Tom Brady, Antonio Brown was “like a brother” before leaving for Oakland and is still one now that they’re competing in different cities.
Tom Brady has been a quarterback for the New England Patriots since 2001. Brown signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018. Tom Brady said that Brown is like a brother to him, and he wishes him luck on his new team.
Whatever you think of Tom Brady, he is unquestionably a tremendous leader. He goes above and beyond to win both on and off the field. Connecting with his colleagues is a big part of it. Any great quarterback will tell you that having strong chemistry with your teammates, especially on offense, is crucial to your success. That’s why Brady has developed such strong bonds with his teammates over time.
Antonio Brown is one of these instances. Brady has played with the erratic wide receiver in both New England and Tampa Bay. Their friendship has blossomed, and it is evident on the pitch.
Here’s how their connection has progressed and why Brady considers Brown to be a brother.
Antonio Brown and Tom Brady have a long history of playing together.
Tom Brady with Antonio Brown | Getty Images/Rob Carr
During the 2019 NFL season, Brady and Brown played together for the first time with the New England Patriots. Brown had forced a trade from Pittsburgh to Oakland that summer. He pushed his release to Oakland after becoming dissatisfied with the situation there. Brown signed with the Patriots as a free agent in time for Week 2 of the regular season.
Brown and Brady connected for a touchdown and four receptions for 56 yards in a win against the Miami Dolphins in Brown’s first (and only) game with the franchise. It was a good, if not outstanding, performance that hinted at bigger things to come. Unfortunately, the pair’s stay in New England would be brief.
Brown was released by the Patriots due to his own self-imposed off-field difficulties. The NFL penalized Brown with an eight-game ban for his off-field misbehavior after no one signed him, according to the NFL.
He then joined with the Buccaneers. Brown joined a talented receiving group that includes Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski for Brady. Brown flourished now that he wasn’t obliged to be the offense’s focal point. He was instrumental in the team’s second Super Bowl victory, and Brady’s sixth overall.
Due to their close friendship, there’s little doubt Brady had a key part in getting Brown to Tampa. According to NBC Sports, the quarterback was the one who convinced Bruce Arians to sign Brown.
Tom Brady’s thoughts on Antonio Brown
On a recent edition of his podcast, Let’s Go!, Brady spoke glowingly of his friendship with Brown. “AB has become like a brother to me,” he said, comparing the receiver to a family member.
Brady also commented on Brown’s progress:
“He’s completed the task. He’s put in the effort. On and off the field, we’re all challenged in various ways. Football may be quite simple at times, but its victories can be a bit more difficult to cope with.”
Consider how close Brady and Brown have grown after the two players lived together for a short time.
When Brown moved to New England, the quarterback encouraged him to live with him.
#Bucs Tom Brady on living alongside Antonio Brown. “He’s just settling in, and I know he’s searching for a place to live.” It’s great to have him here… Moving across the state without knowing anybody is a major change for him. I’m just trying to be a good teammate and assist someone.”
November 3, 2020 — Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD)
Brady is recognized for being a great teammate, and his friendship with Brown is more proof of that. The quarterback even offered his teammate to live with him at his house.
Brady said he offered Brown the offer when he was still a newcomer to town:
“He’s just settling down, and I know he’s searching for a place to live. It’s great to have him here. Moving across the state without knowing anybody is a major change for him. “All I want to do is be a good teammate and assist someone.”
Although the renowned quarterback would undoubtedly offer the invitation to any teammate, the gesture demonstrates their connection. When they line up on the field, their friendship is obvious.
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