Football legend Tom Brady raised eyebrows when he missed nearly two weeks of training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading people to speculate that he had even taken the time off so that he could make an appearance on “The Masked Singer.”
But Brady said otherwise, responding to the rumors during a brief interview on Saturday — at which he explained that he just had a lot going on in his life.
WATCH:
I can’t recall this kind of Tom Brady at the podium. pic.twitter.com/SsPDoI8ClV
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) August 28, 2022
“It’s all personal,” he said, adding, “You know, everyone has different situations they’re dealing with and we all have unique challenges to our lives … I’m 45 years old, man. There’s a lot of s*** going on, so you just have to try and figure out life the best you can. You know, it’s a continuous process.”
Brady then went on to suggest that missing a few days of training camp and a couple of preseason games — which the Bucs lost to the Miami Dolphins on August 13 and to the Tennessee Titans on August 20 — would not impact his ability to the play the game at the level he was used to delivering.
“I feel good. I’ve played football for a long time. I’m pretty good at it,” Brady said after Saturday’s game. “Doesn’t take me long for me to remember how to play it.”
Brady briefly retired earlier this year — before “un-retiring” days later — and while he was retired, he inked a massive deal with FOX. That deal along with his absence from training camp led some to speculate that he had taken a turn onstage and behind the mask.
The legendary quarterback denied the rumors in a tweet, saying, “Wasn’t on the masked singer last week. Was wearing a mask though.”
Wasn’t on the masked singer last week. Was wearing a mask though. https://t.co/E3wg9LaC1I
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) August 22, 2022
His teammates didn’t seem terribly worried, suggesting that upon his return, he hadn’t missed a step.
“If anybody can get away with the 11-day break during training camp, it’s Tom. He came back, kind of firing on all cylinders again. We’re all excited he’s back and ready to move on,” Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate explained.
Coach Todd Bowles said that Brady’s mid-camp sabbatical had been preplanned.