Tom Brady spent 20 years in New England, and the former Patriots quarterback is the most influential athlete in Boston sports history.
You might not know that when you hear him talk about Super Bowl LX. The FOX analyst, who is now also a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, has been notably diplomatic about his view of the Patriots’ showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.
Brady has refused to pick a side, despite, you know, 20 years of historical excellence with one of the game’s participants. Patriots fans have become increasingly miffed at Brady’s indifference, and that includes The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, who went on a rant about the former QB’s stance — or lack thereof.
“I tried to not take it personally when Tom Brady said he didn’t have a dog in this race in (the Super Bowl),” Simmons said in a video posted to his social media channels. ” … It’s like he’s going out of his way to make it seem like he just passed through for two decades.”
Bill Simmons Warns Tom Brady About ‘Frosty’ Reaction to Super Bowl Talk
Simmons argued that Brady should reciprocate the loyalty Patriots fans showed him over the years, including his run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of his career.
“There’s a statue of Tom Brady outside (Gillette Stadium). Seems relevant,” Simmons noted. “Patriots fans defended him for the first 12 years of his career, that he was better than Peyton Manning. Deflategate happens, basically he gets railroaded. Still don’t understand where the evidence was. You know who’s defending him the whole time? Patriots fans. Everybody in New England.”
Simmons added: “We tried to see it from his side (when Brady left for Tampa Bay), and guess who rooted for him to win his seventh Super Bowl? Patriots fans.”
Tom Brady Takes Easy Way Out With Super Bowl Analysis
Brady’s apprehension might be slightly warranted given his ties to the Raiders and FOX, but to Simmons’ point, it does feel a bit “frosty,” as the media personality described it.
“May the best team win,” Brady said on his podcast earlier this week, per NFL.com. “… I’m glad (everyone in New England) has embraced the Mike Vrabel regime, all the amazing players that have worked so ohard to get their club to this position. We did it for 20 years. There was a little bit of a hiatus there, but the Patriots are back, and it’s a very exciting time for everyone in New England. ”
Kind enough, but not very passionate.
Simmons offered some advice.
“The danger of this is Patriots fans — who would defend him against everybody, who now hate Brazilian supermodels and ju-jitsu — he’s at risk of that getting a little frosty.
“My advice would be for him to come out and say I love the Patriots fanbase. Bob Kraft is like a family member to me. I’ve been really impressed by Drake Maye. I’d love to see the Patriots win another Super Bowl because I know how much it would mean to everybody in New England. Just say that. This stuff isn’t hard, Tom Brady. Come on.”
Bill Simmons Offers Tom Brady Advice After Patriots Super Bowl Snub