The Conversation (0)
Ariana Baio
Oct 19, 2022
Tom Brady says he looks at football season like 'military deployment'
Video
In an attempt to explain how he feels balancing work and personal life, Tom Brady compared playing in an NFL season to military deployment, leading to backlash.
On his podcast, Let's Go!Brady spoke with basketball player Kevin Durant alongside co-hosts Jim Gray and Larry Fitzgerald about playing a professional sport.
Durant spoke about his internal battle between wanting to enjoy his life and wanting to continue his career.
Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
Brady, who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, agreed and added that deciding whether or not to play in a season was like a deployment.
"I almost look at a football season like you're going away on deployment for the military," Brady said.
"The reality is when it comes down to it, your competitiveness takes over and as much as you want to have this playful balance with the work balance, you're going to end up doing exactly what you've always done."
People online felt that Brady's comments were insensitive to those who served in the military.
\u201cTom Brady really compared making millions of dollars to throw a football in the NFL to being on a military deployment. NOT EVEN CLOSE! This guy in unraveling before our eyes.\u201d— Mrs. Booker (@Mrs. Booker) 1666106339
Brady announced his retirement from football earlier this year but changed his mind shortly after to play another season with the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Many people reminded Brady that as a football player he was able to see his family whenever- a luxury that those deployed do not have.
\u201cOh Tom Brady\u2026 go fuck yourself. Being a football quarterback is not even close to military deployment. I couldn\u2019t see my children at all for a year (*except for the 2 week R&R at the halfway point). They couldn\u2019t fly out to watch me do my job whenever they wanted. 1/?\u201d— What\u2019s Your Damage, Heather? (@What\u2019s Your Damage, Heather?) 1666131288
People mocked the NFL player for making the comparison.
\u201cOut of my 8(ish) deployments, I never made $15,000,000, went home every night, or spent time with my family.\n\nNot sure where @TomBrady thinks his playing in the NFL rates a comparison to military service.\u201d— Travis Akers (@Travis Akers) 1666115006
\u201cMilitary deployment = NFL season \n\nMust be so hard to make millions of dollars to throw a ball \ud83e\udee1 \n\nThank you for your service, twat @TomBrady\u201d— Whitt (@Whitt) 1666111315
Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.