New England Patriots
The former Patriots star previewed his flag football debut, reflected on life after football, and showed off his arm on late-night TV.
Tom Brady talks with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Todd Owyoung/NBC
Before heading to the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic, Patriots legend Tom Brady made a pit stop at “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Tuesday — and reminded everyone he’s still got it.
Brady discussed his card-collecting business, “CardVault by Tom Brady,” while also teasing his return to the field — his first since retiring in 2023.
The interview opened with a dose of nostalgia, as Fallon surprised Brady with an old photo of the two at a Syracuse basketball game, drawing an audible reaction from the audience.
From there, the conversation turned to how Brady watches football now.
“You want to see all these guys do well, but you’re kind of also like, ‘What are they doing?’ and strategizing,” Brady said. “Now, I’m just so beyond that. Now, I’m like, ‘I just want to see some great plays happening.’”
Brady said his broadcasting role with FOX has shifted his perspective, allowing him to appreciate the next generation of players.
“I want to see these young guys on the field be better than what we were,” he said. “We took the game to a certain point. Now, they got to elevate it to the next point.”
The two also leaned into humor, poking fun at their high school haircuts — Fallon admitted to getting a perm. They also discussed Brady’s recently revealed bronze statue at Gillette Stadium.
“And then all the pigeons take dead aim at that whenever they fly over,” Brady joked about the statue.
Then came the discussion of Brady’s return to the field in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, set for Saturday in Los Angeles.
The event will feature a mix of current and former NFL players and celebrities, including Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski. For Brady, it marks an unexpected return to competition.
“I’ve been in the booth watching these young guys playing. Now I get to go out there and try to kick their butt once again and remind them who’s boss,” Brady said, as the crowd erupted in applause.
Originally scheduled for Riyadh, the game was moved to Los Angeles due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Brady explained.
Before the segment wrapped, Brady gave Fallon a quick quarterback lesson — even channeling Bill Belichick to fire him up.
“God-damn it, Jimmy!” Brady said in his best Belichick impression.
“That’s what I want! That’s what I’m talking about!” Fallon replied, eventually delivering a surprisingly solid throw.
The pair capped the appearance with a game in which Brady attempted to hit vinyl records tossed into the air. In 30 seconds, he shattered nine — plus one “accidental” hit on Fallon.
“Oops, that one slipped,” Brady said.
“That’s how you do it right there,” an enthused Fallon said after the game ended. “You’re the best.”
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