'Last year sucked,' but Tom Brady says he still wants to play until his mid-40s
As always seems to be the case over the past few months, the latest regarding Tom Brady affords opponents and proponents of the New England Patriots the opportunity to choose their own interpretation of the 40-year-old quarterback’s alleged fraying relationship with coach Bill Belichick.
While his Patriots continue their offseason training program in New England, Brady appeared at the Milken Institute’s Global Conference in Los Angeles. The 40-year-old QB was interviewed in front of a live audience by sports reporter Jim Gray about a variety of subjects, including his future in the NFL.
Those who take ESPN’s Seth Wickersham at his word — that Brady, Belichick and Patriots owner Bob Kraft are engaged in a power struggle that could end in a two-decade dynasty’s implosion — can point to Brady’s answers in response to questions about his Super Bowl LII loss and his general happiness.
“Last year sucked,” said Brady, according to the Milken Institute’s Curtis S. Chin.
“Are you happy?” asked Gray.
Sports reporter Jim Gray.
Q: Are you happy?New England @Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady.
A: “I have my moments.” Hmmm.#MIGlobal #perspective #worldintransition pic.twitter.com/hoE2EMFdiy— Curtis S. Chin (@CurtisSChin) April 30, 2018
“I have my moments,” answered Brady, not exactly offering the answer one might expect from Gisele Bunchen’s husband, a man many consider to be the greatest quarterback in the history of football.
On the other hand, who are we to ascribe happiness to an NFL player who has maniacally spent his career obsessed with winning and who is coming off a frustrating Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, punctuated by the question mark of Pro Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler’s notable absence.
Tom Brady will NOT say why Malcolm Butler didn't play in the Super Bowl. Says he never asked. YEAH RIGHT! #MIGlobal
— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) April 30, 2018
So, those who choose to believe all is still well in New England, where the Patriots are still the favorite to win Super Bowl LIII, can make their counterargument after Brady’s most recent public showing, too. During his interview with Gray, the NFL’s reigning MVP confirmed reports that he will play this season, reaffirmed his plan to play into his mid-40s and again said his favorite Super Bowl was “the next one.”
At #MIGlobal, Tom Brady confirms he’ll be playing in 2018. Breathe easy #Pats fans #Patriots
— Tracy Sandler (@49ersfangirl) April 30, 2018
Tom Brady telling Jim Gray: “I wanna play til my mid-40s” when asked about retirement #miglobal #NFL
— Andrew W. Park (@apark_) April 30, 2018
Sports reporter Jim Gray.
Q: Your favorite Super Bowl ring?New England @Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady.
A: “The next one.”#MIGlobal #perspective #worldintransition #goforit @nfl pic.twitter.com/4Wf21Hk2uA— Curtis S. Chin (@CurtisSChin) April 30, 2018
"I want to do what I love for as long as I can so that I can show people that they too can do what they’ve been told that they can’t do" – Tom Brady in an earlier conversation at #MIGlobal
— Milken Institute (@MilkenInstitute) April 30, 2018
The Patriots are dead. Long live the Patriots. Interpret Tom Brady however you want.
– – – – – – –
Ben Rohrbach is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @brohrbach
More from Yahoo Sports:
• Jeff Passan: How 7 teams personify baseball’s ugly problem
• Pirates rookie breaks 50-year-old record in debut
• MJ’s teammate: LeBron has best body of work
• Final grades: How did your team fare in NFL draft?
