NFL superstar Tom Brady returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ training camp Monday after an 11-day mystery absence, and shot down a rumor he left to compete on Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”
Speculation that the ageless quarterback was in Hollywood to showcase yet another talent swirled when he left camp without an explanation. The 45-year-old, seven-time Super Bowl champion denied he left the team to sing on the popular show, but then, he would say that, right?
“Wasn’t on the masked singer last week. Was wearing a mask though,” Brady tweeted along with an ad for his BRADY clothing line.
Wasn’t on the masked singer last week. Was wearing a mask though. https://t.co/E3wg9LaC1I
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) August 22, 2022
The tweet showed what was certainly a Brady stunt double doing tricks on a motorcycle, something that would surely terrify the Tampa brass and faithful if it were really the face of the franchise.
The rumor didn’t come from nowhere. Brady’s longtime teammate and pal, tight end Rob Gronkowski, once made an appearance on the popular program. But leaving training camp for any reason, much less to be a television show contestant, is a luxury only the greatest quarterback of all time can be afforded.
“If anybody can get away with the 11-day break during training camp, it’s Tom,” Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate said. “He came back, kind of firing on all cylinders again. We’re all excited he’s back and ready to move on.”
Brady missed two preseason games during his sabbatical, but coach Todd Bowles said he would not have played in those contests even if he were with the team. Bowles also said Brady’s mid-camp vacation was pre-planned.
Brady’s teammates seemed glad to have their leader back, wherever he was.
“His presence is different, just the leader he is, the type of guy he is,” linebacker Lavonte David told reporters. “It’s great to have a guy like that back. He came back ready to take off where he left off.”
Quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen, who probably has more to learn from Brady than to teach him, said No. 12 showed no signs of rust.
“He looked good and fresh,” Christensen said. “It was good to have him out there. I’ll tell you that.”