Tom Brady was in a familiar setting last Sunday: MetLife Stadium. His behavior, however, was unrecognizable for the once-great quarterback.
Amid the spectacle of the World Cup final, the NFL legend flipped his middle finger at nemesis Logan Paul in the latest dramatization of their ‘feud’. His son Jack, 18, was sat by his side.
At that stadium nine years prior, he set an NFL record for regular-season wins. That tally of 251 remains today, alongside his unrivaled seven Super Bowl rings. His legacy is indisputable.
But it’s now being ‘lamefied,’ according to Dave Portnoy. The outspoken Barstool chief branded it ‘one of the great downfalls of an icon.’ Many fear Brady, 48, is having a midlife crisis, amplified by the wounds of his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bundchen in 2022 after 13 years of marriage and two kids.
That’s because Sunday wasn’t an isolated incident. It was Brady’s latest tacky clamor for attention.
A day earlier Brady slapped YouTuber-turned-wrestler Paul at a Fanatics Fest event in New York. It was the latest PR stunt in a drawn-out saga beginning with the pair’s flag football ‘feud’ this year.
Tom Brady’s tacky PR stunts are leaving many fearing that he is having a midlife crisis
Last week, talk of a WWE move ramped up as Brady, 48, reenacted wrestler the Undertaker’s ‘rise from the dead’ routine at Fanatics Fest in New York
Brady also slapped WWE’s Logan Paul and swore at him during the World Cup final
The outlandish behavior horrified New England Patriots loyalist Portnoy. He wasn’t the only one. Not that Brady cares.
‘Let the airbag of Dave Portnoy talk all he wants because Tom just laughs at the nonsense,’ an insider close to Brady exclusively told the Daily Mail.
‘People thinking he is losing his legacy by doing flag football, stuff at Fanatics Fest or WWE is ridiculous to him; he has nothing else to prove.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Brady’s representatives for comment.
Brady spent the best part of two decades proving everyone wrong, transforming from a sixth-round draft pick to an all-conquering quarterback.
So what validation could he possibly be chasing through a stream of gimmicks?
In 2024, he chose to be humiliated over Gisele Bundchen and her new jiu jitsu hunk in a Netflix Roast. He regretted it deeply – his kids, he said, were mortified at their mother being publicly mocked.
But his bizarre missteps keep coming. He cloned his dog, shared multiple divorced dad Instagram posts and thirst traps. He sold now-bankrupt crypto. He donned a skin-tight all-black leather number and strutted his stuff for Gucci. He was spotted sunbathing naked.
His close friend and former teammate Rob Gronkowski joked single Brady is ‘going out every weekend.’
The New England Patriots legend is pictured with his son Jack at the World Cup final
Brady and ex-wife Gisele Bundchen (pictured in 2019) divorced in October 2022
Brady is pictured walking the catwalk during the Gucci Cruise 2027 fashion show in May
Rumors of romantic flings have continued, though. He has been linked to Sofía Vergara, 54, Irina Shayk, 40, Brooks Nader, 29, and most recently influencer Alix Earle, 25.
‘He is doing things that make him happy,’ the insider insists. ‘Would Tom love to still be on the field? Without question. But to Tom, people like Dave Portnoy giving him all this grief just proves that he is an icon.
‘If people are going to talk nonsense, let them. It is not having any effect on Tom whatsoever. If Dave Portnoy is thinking negatively about Tom, Tom just thinks he is a loser. It is as simple as that!’
Brady’s onstage slap was accompanied by his cringe-worthy WWE entrance re-enactment. Fitted with white contact lenses, he mimicked the Undertaker’s rise from the dead.
To many, it was the final nail in the coffin of his legacy. For Brady, it keeps the WWE plotline alive.
The source suggests the ‘feud’ with Brady and Paul is ‘expected to eventually spill over into the WWE ring.’
The various stunts, they say, fuel the ‘growing confidence that Brady will step into a WWE storyline.’
The former quarterback was most recently romantically linked to influencer Alix Earle, 25
Brady and Paul’s ‘feud’ was sparked from the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in March
‘He misses the competitive rush that comes with being a professional athlete, which is one reason he continues to embrace competitive outlets like flag football,’ the source adds. ‘That drive to compete has never gone away, and WWE presents another opportunity to scratch that itch while creating a blockbuster moment for fans.’
Potential arcs are reportedly already being plotted for Brady with the insider revealing current plans involve the NFL icon making a surprise appearance and costing Paul a victory in the hope of setting up a bigger future storyline – and even a possible match.
Other suggestions float the Royal Rumble in January as a launch point, while a tag team with Gronkowski is also mooted.
‘Tom nor WWE would do all of this if something wasn’t actually trying to be set up,’ another insider told the Daily Mail.
A third source agreed, hinting the WWE endeavor is motivated by a frat bro mentality.
‘There’s no real beef between Tom and Logan,’ they share. ‘It’s all for show and Tom thinks it’s funny.
‘He’s a total bro and all his friends are young bros, too. He barely drinks, doesn’t really party and thinks it’s fun to do all of this back and forth with Logan and tease a WWE appearance.
‘If this WWE deal pans out, he’ll easily be making in the high seven figures for a brief appearance that requires barely any work.’
Why Brady is scrounging for a spare million, however, is anyone’s guess.
Former YouTuber Paul is pictured at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas in April
Brady retired from the NFL in 2023 after 23 seasons and seven Super Bowl titles
Since quitting football, where he made around $300m, he has aggressively expanded his business empire.
His wealth has risen significantly, buoyed by his $375m, 10-year-deal as Fox’s top NFL analyst. Some in the football world think he wants to become a billionaire.
Brady’s face and name are everywhere. Sports giant Under Armour was among the first brand to tie itself to the quarterback. Fanatics, Molecule Mattress and Aston Martin all followed. All built his brand and his bank balance.
Brady’s not only raking the cash in, he’s spending it. He has thrown money at teams in pursuit of a slice of sporting dynasty, buying stakes in NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, WNBA’s Vegas Aces, English soccer team Birmingham City and even pickleball and an electric powerboat series.
Brady approached his playing career with a maniacal ruthless focus. Off the field he was just as calculated, strategically building his business empire with hyper-selective deals. In retirement, however, it seems aimless and endless.
Despite being notoriously health-conscious, Brady recently starred in a Pizza Hut commercial
For two decades he preached against processed foods. He developed his brand around his strict health-focused lifestyle.
Now, he is pushing Pizza Hut on billboards across the country. His face is used to promote Subway, Tostitos and Dunkin’ Donuts – all at odds with his infamously health-conscious image.
In fact, Brady is now so rarely out of the public eye it is a wonder how he has time amid his bulging calendar for his latest escapades.
Brady doesn’t need more money. He doesn’t need the extra spotlight. He doesn’t need another hit to his reputation. He also doesn’t seem to care.
