Tom Brady might be retired, but fans in Indianapolis haven’t forgotten the pain he caused on the football field.
The former Patriots quarterback was loudly booed when he took the stage during a pre-race ceremony at the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 25. The chilly reception didn’t seem to rattle Brady, who smiled and waved to the crowd before stepping off.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
It’s no mystery where the jeers came from — Colts fans. Brady tormented Indianapolis for years during his reign in New England, famously knocking the Colts out of the playoffs four separate times. He was also at the center of the infamous “Deflategate” scandal during the 2014 AFC Championship game against Indy.
Now 47, Brady has traded his helmet for a microphone. He retired from the NFL in 2023 and signed a massive 10-year broadcasting deal with Fox. While he’s no longer suiting up on Sundays, he says being in the booth still gives him a front-row seat to the action.
“It’s been really fun to sit and watch these games from the 50-yard line,” Brady said during an appearance on the Let’s Go! podcast last year. “Although I’d much prefer to be on the field playing… but I’m not doing that anymore.”
Speaking with PEOPLE in September 2024, Brady shared that he’s happy with the next phase of his career.
“Now, I’m back to work and I’m enjoying that, so I have no complaints,” he said. “I try to wake up and do my best for the people that matter the most to me. I want to do a great job for Fox and my teammates there. So my life’s pretty full. I’m very happy.”
Brady is also now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, which raised eyebrows when he joined Fox Sports. The NFL has since imposed boundaries to avoid conflicts of interest, banning him from entering team facilities or joining meetings and practices. Still, some continue to question whether the dual role blurs the line.