Tom Brady takes high road when addressing split with Patriots
Tom Brady participated in a conference call Tuesday to make his first on-the-record comments to the media since officially signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.
Despite reports that some acrimony existed between himself and the Patriots organization regarding issues that precipitated his stunning departure, Brady elected to take the high road when weighing in on the split.
Amid Brady’s departure last week, Patriots owner Robert Kraft made some interesting remarks about the situation. While Kraft praised Brady on several fronts last week, he also noted it was the veteran quarterback’s decision to leave and that the team would have figured out a way to make it work had he wanted to stay.
Brady appeared to reference such comments during his Tuesday conference call, as relayed by Greg Auman of The Athletic.
Tom Brady on leaving Patriots: "I'm not responsible for how other people will say certain things. I think Mr. Kraft has been a great influence on my life. I'm so grateful for two decades. … It's been an amazing thing for my family."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 24, 2020
The new Bucs quarterback also made it clear he has nothing but respect for the entire Patriots organization following a two-decade dynastic run that included six Super Bowl victories.
Tom Brady on his time with Patriots: "I have a great deal of respect. There's nobody who's been a bigger fan of the Patriots than me. I have nothing but total respect and love."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 24, 2020
Auman went on to summarize his overall impression of the half-hour conference call.
Just over a half-hour for Tom Brady conference call. Spoke with respect for Patriots and appreciation for time there, excitement about future in Tampa and reiterated the importance of making most of offseason to learn new offense, get to know new Bucs teammates.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 24, 2020
Brady obviously is eager to being the next chapter of his NFL career, but before making it clear his time with the Patriots ought to be left in the past, he did admit leaving the only organization he’s every known was a “very emotional” experience. That should hardly come as any surprise.
That being said, in a riff on Bill Belichick’s infamous line, “It’s on to Tampa” for Brady, and he knows it.
