Tom Brady’s stance ahead of Super Bowl LX has drawn powerful responses from some of the most respected voices of the New England Patriots dynasty. The former quarterback said this week he does not have a rooting interest in Sunday’s matchup between the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. As his comments spread, several former teammates expressed surprise at his answer.
Asante Samuel Calls Out Tom Brady on Social Media
Former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel posted on X that he was disappointed Brady would not openly back coach Mike Vrabel in his first season leading the franchise. Samuel played alongside Brady during the mid-2000s championship run and framed his message around loyalty to former teammates.
Though the post reads playfully, Samuel was not alone in his pushback to Brady’s political approach. Legendary linebacker Tedy Bruschi echoed a similar message during an interview with WEEI. His allegiance in the game rests with Vrabel and the Patriots.
Bruschi described Vrabel as a brother and emphasized the personal connection many former players feel toward the head coach. He said his pick throughout the postseason had never changed. He also picked the Patriots on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown. Clearly, his loyalty is rooted in the shared experiences of the championship years.
“That’s my boy right there,” Bruschi said. “Vrabel is like a brother of mine. I’ve got a dog in the fight, and I’m cheering for him.”
Vince Wilfork offered the most direct pushback to Brady’s comments while speaking on Radio Row. The former defensive tackle dismissed the idea of remaining neutral and said anyone who identifies as a Patriot for life should be rooting for the Patriots. Wilfork called out Brady for what he called fence straddling.
“If you don’t think they’re gonna win, just pick Seattle then,” Wilfork said. “Don’t give me that political bullcrap. Say what it is.”
Brady explained his position this week on the Let’s Go podcast, saying he did not have a dog in the fight and wanted the best team to win. Brady’s approach, however, aligns with his current responsibilities as part-owner of the Raiders and as a lead analyst for FOX broadcasts, roles that require objectivity rather than public allegiance to one side.
Still, his ex-teammates weren’t having it and didn’t want to hear Brady’s neutrality for a team he won six championships for, facing a team he once beat to win one of those rings.
