Antonio Brown appears to have extended an olive branch to his former teammate, Tom Brady, after years of public feuding. The former NFL wide receiver, who has often lashed out at Brady in the past, shared an audio clip on social media Tuesday suggesting that the two have reconciled.
Since their parting ways in 2022, Brown had taken numerous personal shots at Brady, at times blaming him for the premature end of his career and even targeting Brady’s ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen. However, in the alleged phone call between the two, Brown, 36, seemed to ask for forgiveness and express gratitude for the support Brady once gave him.
Brown posted the audio clip to X (formerly Twitter), with the caption: “AB x Tom Brady. Love my Teammate & Friend #CTESPN. He helped me out the mud & I’m forever grateful for him. I’m sorry for all my side of everything. Super Bowl Champs @TomBrady.” The audio, which seems to capture a private conversation, features Brown apologizing to Brady for his hurtful actions, including sharing doctored images of Bündchen online, mocking the quarterback’s personal life.
It’s unclear when the phone call took place or if it was genuine, as Brown has a history of sharing AI-generated or altered content on social media. Nevertheless, in the recording, Brown acknowledges his attacks on Brady over the years and opens up about the emotional trauma he has been processing. He indicated that he’s working on making amends and focusing on raising his seven children.
“The older we get, we’re still stuck with our traumas,” Brown said in the audio clip. “We’re just human beings, a product of what we go through and how people treated us. I’m trying to make a change, focusing on raising the kids and doing positive things.”
A voice, sounding like Brady’s, responds patiently and supportively, acknowledging that everyone faces challenges and personal struggles. “We’re all dealing with something,” the voice, seemingly Brady, says. “No matter who you are, we all have our stuff… You made some great choices, and some that were tough, but hopefully, you can overcome them. I just wanted you to succeed, you know that.”
Brady’s forgiving tone seems to underscore the bond the two once shared during their time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite Brown’s public criticisms of Brady, the former quarterback offers understanding in the clip, noting that life’s difficulties shape people in different ways.
In the past, Brown has accused Brady of being “selfish” and blamed him for ending his NFL career. He has also frequently mocked Brady over his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen, posting doctored images that insinuated a romantic connection between himself and Bündchen. These antics fueled the growing rift between the two former teammates.
However, in the purported phone call, Brown expresses deep regret and thanks Brady for his role in helping him achieve success. “You helped me succeed,” Brown says. “You came and got me out of the dirt, champ. You helped me be a champion. I never took those things for granted, man… No matter the emotions I tried to betray, I only got respect for you and everything you did for me.”
Brady, in return, seems to graciously accept Brown’s apology, expressing hope that Brown can find a way forward from the tumultuous chapter of their friendship. The quarterback’s empathy appears to provide a moment of reconciliation between the two.
Despite their shared success on the field, Brown’s relationship with Brady has been strained since his abrupt exit from the NFL in 2022. His infamous mid-game departure during a matchup against the New York Jets marked the end of his NFL career.
Before that, Brown had played a significant role in helping the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl in 2021, a feat that was largely possible because of Brady’s influence in bringing him to Tampa Bay.
Brady had long supported Brown, advocating for both the New England Patriots and the Buccaneers to sign him, despite the wide receiver’s legal troubles, including allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
Brown’s tenure in New England was cut short after just one game when those allegations resurfaced, but Brady continued to stand by him, even inviting him to live in his home when Brown joined the Buccaneers in 2020. Their collaboration on the field helped the team win Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite the goodwill Brady extended, Brown’s erratic behavior and repeated public attacks strained their relationship.
Earlier this year, Brown claimed that Brady only supported him to boost his own career and statistics, writing on social media, “Tom Brady selfish bro want stats too… I’m coming off the bench to help his team win.”
Brown’s recent apology in the phone call, however, suggests that he may be trying to mend the bridges he once burned.
Whether or not this will lead to a lasting reconciliation between the two remains unclear, but the audio suggests that Brown recognizes the importance of the relationship he had with Brady and regrets the way things have unfolded.
For now, Brown appears to be focusing on personal growth and family, while Brady, now retired from football, continues to enjoy his post-NFL life.
If this conversation is genuine, it marks a significant shift in the tone of their relationship, from animosity and blame to reconciliation and mutual respect.