Readers Say
“Tom prob should be speaking a little warmer toward the fan base that supports him no matter what for 20+ years,” one respondent said.
Tom Brady stands on the center stage under the looming Super Bowl banners as he gets a standing ovation at the end of the ceremony. Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Gillette Stadium on June 12, 2024. (John Tlumacki/Globe Staff)
February 6, 2026 | 5:02 PM
7 minutes to read
For many New England Patriots fans, Tom Brady’s neutral stance ahead of Super Bowl LX landed harder than expected.
-
Unlike Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi has a dog in the Patriots-Seahawks fight
“I don’t have a dog in the fight in this one,” Brady told Jim Gray on the “Let’s Go!” podcast, speaking about the Patriots-Seahawks matchup. “May the best team win. And in terms of the Patriots, this is a new chapter in New England, and I’m glad everyone’s embraced the Mike Vrabel regime, all the amazing players that have worked so hard to get their club to this position.”
While Brady framed his comments as part of a new chapter — one shaped by broadcasting and minority ownership with the Raiders — a large majority of readers told us it didn’t sit right.
When we asked Boston.com readers to weigh in, nearly 700 respondents voted, revealing a fan base split between disappointment, understanding, and indifference — all tied to the complicated reality of seeing a Patriots icon speak like an outsider during the franchise’s biggest moment in years.
How much does Tom Brady’s lack of support for the Patriots in Super Bowl LX bother you?
Not bothered — he’s still the GOAT.
It doesn’t matter much to me.
“Tom prob should be speaking a little warmer toward the fan base that supports him no matter what for 20+ years,” wrote Keith from Medford.
Sean R. of Chelmsford echoed that sentiment more bluntly: “His biggest fans are New Englanders. This was a slap in the face to his biggest fans.”
Still, not everyone was upset. Some readers emphasized perspective, pointing to everything Brady already gave the franchise.
“He helped us win 6 Super Bowls and stayed loyal throughout all those years, despite Bill. He doesn’t owe anything,” Roberto V. of Haverhill wrote.
Others landed somewhere in the middle, wishing Brady would acknowledge his legacy without demanding full-throated fandom. “He’s entitled to his opinions, but loyalty to the legacy would be nice,” said Chris.
Below, readers react to Brady’s neutral support for the Patriots ahead of the Super Bowl.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
How much does Tom Brady’s lack of support for the Patriots in Super Bowl LX bother you?
Yes, I’m bothered!
“After the unveiling of the statue, didn’t we hear from Tom that he is a Patriot for life? He is a phony.” — Steve, Franklin
“New England is the team that made Tom Brady. His statue sits outside of Gillette stadium, he spent the majority of his career there, and he once stated that he is a Patriot for life! It’s ridiculous that he can’t support this team in the Super Bowl. Shame on you, TB!” — David H., Chelmsford
“Having been a devoted fan for over 50 years, I found Tom’s statement to be an insult to a team that he himself said that he was a Patriot for life. The fans elevated him to GOAT status as did I, bought his merchandise, and supported him for 20 years. Even though now it is hard for me to say this, maybe it was never the team that mattered to him, but himself and his glory and accomplishments.” — Susan G., Winthrop
“Brady is in a new career with broadcasting the games. While always remembering the past, when they jump into the sportscasting role they become more neutral in their thoughts on teams. Growing up in St. Louis, Joe Buck did the same thing in regards to the Cardinals. We were all miffed with him going national and not announcing to Cardinals nation only, like his father Jack Buck had done his whole career. We hurt too as fans.” — Jenn H., Acton
“He was part of something special, he gave so much joy to Pats fans and we loved and supported him. He should be rooting the Pats because we’ve always rooted for him. Very disappointed.” — B., North Reading
“Tom can’t say he’s a ‘Patriot for life’ and not support the team with which he made his name, regardless of his ownership stake in a team that won’t be in the playoffs for at least another five years, during which time the Pats will have made at least one other Super Bowl appearance. Loyalty means something.” — John, Worcester
A little bit.
“As much as I’d like Tom Brady to show his support for the Patriots, I sort of understand his position. It is similar to how I felt when Tom left New England for Tampa Bay. I didn’t want him to win a Super Bowl with another team. I never understood why some Patriots fans turned into Buccaneers fans just because Tom played for them. I am a Patriots fan through and through. They are my team, good or bad and there have been plenty of both as I grew up in the 80’s. I felt like Tom was ours and it hurt when he left and succeeded elsewhere (without us). I imagine he’s feeling the same way now.” — Rob R., Franklin
“He has no obligations to support the team. But just the way that many fans still rooted for him during his run with Tampa Bay, it would be nicer if he showed his pride for all the years of donning the Patriots uniform.” — Anonymous reader, West Roxbury
“Tom has every right to remain impartial or not choose a side, but it seems lately he is trying to further and further his identity away from the Pats. A team and fan base that absolutely adore him, so of course it’s annoying a bit. He won’t support the Pats but what can you do?” — Jacob, Cambridge
“Brady is now his own brand. He obviously calculated that being neutral is better for ‘the brand.’ Other Boston sport heroes like Ted Williams, Bill Russell, Larry Bird and Bobby Orr always spoke of their love for their respective teams and teammates. It seems like Brady will measure what it will do for his brand first.” — Michael I., Princeton
“I mean, I’d like for him to be all Pats, but imagine he’s trying to keep his options open. Doesn’t want to seem like he’s diehard Pats fan, should he get into coaching or become a bigger owner of the Raiders.” — Andrew D., Lakeville
“I understand that he is in a different phase of his life now. So is Gronk, Bruschi, Woody, and all the others that played and won with him. But I don’t understand how, after all of this, he can have no emotions about this game! How disappointing! Maybe he is being sensitive to business ramifications. But geez!” — Karen R., Bellingham
Not bothered. He’s still the GOAT.
“He’s a grown a** man. He’s on to another phase in his life. I’ve been a fan of the Patriots since I was a kid (I had a John Hannah poster over my bed). Tom has given us enough that he has as much leeway as he wants with me.” — Gerry, Hinesburg, Vermont
“Brady gave us so much, and then moved on. And that’s fine. He went on to win a Super Bowl with a new team, and now has an ownership interest in a different team. Thank you, Tom, and let’s go, Maye and team!” — Richard, Dorchester
“Doesn’t change the happiness he brought to me for 20 years.” — Steve, Medford
“He’s playing it smart! Team owner plus a broadcaster keeping his thoughts to himself.” — Paul, Boston
“Who cares? Get over it people. He gave you the best 20 years of dominance the NFL has ever seen! The guy now owns part of the Raiders. His Patriots pom poms have been put away. He owes us nothing!” — Kevin, Weymouth
“He is a partial owner in another team and a commentator, so I like to think he is just being neutral. He may also not be ready to be ‘replaced’ in the hearts of Pats fans.” — Elizabeth, Littleton
It doesn’t matter much to me.
“Professional athletes tend to put the past behind them. Tom’s time with the Patriots will always be special, but he’s not a Patriot any longer and not close to this team. In addition, he is now an unbiased analyst, plus a part owner with another team!” — Alan
“He’s not obligated to be a Patriot for life if he’s over it — Kraft did him dirty at the end. But let’s get rid of that over-the-top giant statute if it’s a one-sided love affair!” — Nancy L., Hanover, New Hampshire
“He’s in the public eye as a broadcaster, so if people see him as biased I think it would hurt the perception of how much people would value his opinion. You see the same thing with sports writers who want to be seen as objective. Even if personally they root for a particular team they think their opinions will be suspect if they are viewed as a fan.” — Richard G., Londonderry, New Hampshire
“He has done enough for us, I don’t feel like he owes us anything, especially not rooting for a team considering he is announcing it. It’s not personal, it’s just business. I still love him and he still loves us.” — Jeremy H., Watertown
“Tom Brady has always done what he believed was best for him. He took team-friendly deals because he wanted to win. He left to prove he could do it somewhere else. And honestly, we’re all like that — you’re loyal to your company, but in the end you’ll do what’s best for you. I wish him nothing but luck and I’m grateful for what he gave us. But at the end of the day, he’s gone now, and he deserves to live his own life.” — Kevin, Walpole
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
