Tom Brady Finally Admits He Had Multiple Concussions
Throughout star quarterback Tom Brady‘s NFL career that spans over two decades, he has avoided the discussion of concussions. It has been a topic Brady has given his two cents on but hasn’t delved into how that has impacted him personally. He’s conscious of its presence in the game and how it has affected many players but never talked about his dealings. However, it appears that he has finally opened up to how that affected him.
Tom Brady closed off discussion concerning concussions
Back in 2017, part of the focus heading into that upcoming season centered on comments in May that year made from his wife Gisele Bundchen that revealed that he dealt with a concussion the previous campaign and had a history of that such injury.
That had been the first time in his career that any concussions had been linked to the star quarterback. In response to that, Brady had some strong comments regarding that topic as he voiced that wasn’t a situation that he believed was “anybody’s business.” (H/T The Guardian)
I don’t want to get into things that happened in my past, certainly medical history and so forth. I really don’t think that’s anybody’s business,” Brady said. “What happened last year; I’m focused on this year and improving and working on things I need to get better at.
About a month after this made headway, Brady released his book entitled The TB12 Method in mid-September that detailed his experience playing in the league to which he called dealing with the hits felt like a “car crash.” Meanwhile, he voiced in interviews that he thought he was taking “preventative approaches” to limit the potential of that situation arising.
However, Brady never admitted to experiencing concussions until this week.
Tom Brady says he has dealt with concussions
In the time that has passed since then, Brady hasn’t opened up about his dealings with concussions throughout his career.
That changed on Wednesday morning during an interview on The Howard Stern Show as he voiced that he did experience multiple concussions, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing his NFL career. (H/T Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk)
“I’ve definitely had concussions, yeah. I could stop playing football because I’m worried about what’s going to happen.
“But why don’t I live my life the way I want, and enjoy it the way that is most fulfilling to me?
“For me, that [playing in the NFL] is doing what I love to do. You don’t tell a musician to stop singing at age 42. You don’t tell a painter to stop painting at 42.”
Given the setting, it was likely a chance for Brady to discuss the topic freely but in a manner that he genuinely controlled how much he talked about it. At the same time, it’s clear that Brady hasn’t let that derail him from playing football in any manner.
That’s something that he has continued to be mindful over the last several years, especially through his workout routine and regiment. It’s a topic that he will likely continue to avoid, but it’s quite evident that it hasn’t been a lingering concern of his throughout his career.
How much longer will Tom Brady play?
That is the question that Brady has left open-ended as he has no clear picture of when he will finally step away from the game.
The 42-year-old has a strong desire to continue playing, which could go well beyond his current two-year, $50 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There are even reports that suggest Brady could play past age 45 with that possibly reaching age 48.
Despite having won six Super Bowls, he’s stepping into a new challenge with Tampa Bay that has continued to push him forward with further personal motivation. At this point, it’s difficult to predict when he will finally retire from the NFL.
