Tom Brady Says He Has ‘A Lot of Feelings’ on Antonio Brown Situation

Antonio Brown of the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 15, 2019. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said his team’s decision to release Antonio Brown is a “difficult situation” but wouldn’t go into specifics.

The six-time Super Bowl champion was asked during his weekly radio show on WEEI if he was surprised that Brown, who was accused of sexual assault, was released last week.

“I do have a lot of personal feelings, none of which I really care to share. That’s about it. It’s a difficult situation. That’s kinda how I feel,” he said.

Brady then issued a longer response about his team, but he didn’t mention Brown specifically.

Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots attempts a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter during Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia, on Feb. 3, 2019. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

“There’s a lot of human elements and I think because as a player and a person I care deeply about my teammates,” he said.

He added that “I want everyone to be the best they can possibly be. From the day I started with this team, even back I’d say in college, it’s such a tight-nit group and you want everyone to become the best they can possibly be and you try to provide leadership.”

Brady then remarked: “You try to care for people. You try to provide whatever you think you can to help them reach their highest potential, whatever situation it is. I’ve had a lot of teammates over the years. You invest not just your head, but your heart. You invest your soul. That is what makes a great team. That is what makes a great brotherhood. I think in the end, that is the endearing trait about sports.”

On Sept 22, Brown tweeted that he was finished with playing in the NFL.

That message was issued before he attacked Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former teammate Ben Roethlisberger. He also took shots at Fox Sports analyst Shannon Sharpe. Those messages have since been deleted.

“Kraft got caught in the parlor AB speculations fired different strokes different folks clearly,” Brown wrote in a now-deleted tweet.  Kraft was charged earlier this year during an investigation into misconduct inside Florida massage parlors. Kraft has denied the allegation.

The Patriots on Friday said the team was releasing the superstar wide receiver.

“The New England Patriots are releasing Antonio Brown,” the team said in a statement on Sept. 20. “We appreciate the hard work of many people over the past 11 days, but we feel that it is best to move in a different direction at this time.”

Brown was picked up by the Patriots after he was released this season by the Oakland Raiders. He previously played for the Pittsburgh Steelers before he was traded.