Tom Brady sent football fans into a frenzy after the 48-year-old showed flashes of his enduring brilliance on his return to the field Saturday.
Three years after retiring from the NFL, Brady took part in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a five-on-five tournament involving some of the biggest names in football.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion co-captained Founders FFC alongside Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, while Joe Burrow and Commanders star Daniels led Wildcats FFC.
The Team USA flag football team also took part in the event and they dominated the action in Los Angeles, overshadowing the likes of Stefon Diggs and Rob Gronkowski.
But Brady still went viral after making some trademark plays at quarterback, leaving many fans convinced he could still cut it in the NFL.
On his first play in more than 1,000 days, the 48-year-old dodged a defender and then fired a perfect touchdown pass to Diggs in the corner of the end zone.
Tom Brady, 48, showed flashes of his enduring brilliance on his return to the field Saturday
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic featured a host of football stars including Rob Gronkowski
Team USA – which had no NFL players – celebrates its victory at the event in Los Angeles
‘Damn it, he still got it,’ one fan wrote. ‘Dude could play in the game right now!’ Drake Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl last season but one fan claimed: ‘When will people realize that Brady is just different! He could still be starting for New England’
Another added: ‘So we’re all thinking the same thing…he could still play.’
Brady followed that up with another beautiful pass to his old friend and ex-teammate Rob Gronkowski for the 2-point conversion. That gave the Founders an 8-0 lead over Team USA.
Later in the game, Brady humiliated YouTuber-turned WWE star Logan Paul when he called his own version of the ‘Philly Special.’ Brady caught a pass over Paul and then jokingly flipped the ball into his chest.
In the end, however, Brady and Co were beaten by both the Wildcats and Team USA. ‘My heart is really hurting right now,’ Brady said between losses.
Flag Football is set to debut at the 2028 Olympics and on Saturday, Team USA triumphed without a single NFL player in Los Angeles. The event was recently relocated from Saudi Arabia due to the war in Iran.
