Former teammates of Tom Brady have opened up about the toll the 2014 deflategate scandal took on the legendary quarterback, revealing that he was deeply affected by the controversy.
The scandal emerged following the AFC Championship Game that year, with accusations that Brady had sought to deflate game balls to gain an advantage for his team, the New England Patriots. This put Brady under intense scrutiny, resulting in a four-game suspension for him and hefty penalties for the Patriots organization.
According to Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis, who spent a season with the Patriots, Brady was visibly upset by the situation. He addressed the team before the Super Bowl and was overcome with emotion, shedding tears in front of his teammates.
“He was actually bawling his eyes out in front of us,” Revis revealed in a recent episode of Apple’s ‘The Dynasty: New England Patriots’.
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Despite his distress, Brady reassured his teammates that he would not let the scandal ruin their season, vehemently denying the accusations leveled against him.
Team owner Robert Kraft also acknowledged the impact of the scandal on Brady, describing the two-week break between the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl as “very difficult on Tommy.”
Former teammate Danny Amendola added that the ordeal took a heavy toll on Brady, especially as his children faced backlash and abuse at school due to the controversy.
The deflategate scandal remains a significant chapter in Brady’s storied career, highlighting the challenges and pressures faced by even the most accomplished athletes.
