Tom Brady Sr., the father of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, is reportedly growing concerned over his son’s desire to keep playing football.
The ageless wonder announced his retirement from football back on Feb. 1, only to announce 40 days later that he was returning to the Buccaneers for a 23rd NFL season. The 45-year-old hasn’t announced yet if he plans to play in 2023, or if he’ll retire altogether.
And according to Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter, Brady’s passion to continue playing the game is worrisome for his father. Carter detailed a conversation he had with Brady Sr. ahead of the Bucs-Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl 55 showdown during an appearance on FanDuel’s “Up & Adams” show (h/t Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post):
“The night before the game, I happen to meet up with Tom Brady’s dad and asked him what he thought about the game, the opportunity to win again. He said the only thing he’s worried about is the kid, the kid won’t go home. He said ‘the kid is outside still playing, and he won’t come in. It’s raining, everything.’ He said, ‘I am only afraid the kid won’t stop playing even if he wins…
He won that game and he’s still playing. So the dad told him, so it is a problem. The NFL is a drug, man, and there is no other office job, partnership, relationship, we got great players broadcasting, running teams — it’s nothing like the NFL…to hoist the Lombardi seven times, man, that’s a drug and he’s got it. He’s got it bad.”
Brady and his wife of 13 years, Gisele Bündchen, announced that they were divorcing back in late October. It has been widely suggested that Brady’s decision to un-retire and continue playing football was a key factor in the divorce.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion is in the midst of a frustrating third season with the Buccaneers, who have struggled on offense all season long. Brady has completed 65.8 percent of pass attempts for 3,585 yards and 17 touchdowns against just five interceptions, though three of those picks have come over the last two games.
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Brady signed a two-year contract with the Bucs in 2020 free agency, and he was awarded a one-year extension after leading the team to a Super Bowl 55 championship. So if he decides to continue playing in 2023, he doesn’t necessarily have to return to Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers are leading the wide-open NFC South division with a 6-7 record, though a loss and a win by the Atlanta Falcons and/or Carolina Panthers would leave Tampa Bay tied for first. The Bucs will host Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday.
