Tom Brady is a weirdo who calls Wall Street bankers when they’re having bad days.

[cali]

This is not, not, not a sports piece


Tom Brady is a weirdo who calls Wall Street bankers when they’re having bad days.On Thursday, ESPN’s Kevin Van Valkenberg published a fantastic profile of Tom Brady that’s almost certainly the most revealing article ever written about the New England Patriots quarterback.

The piece gets into what makes Brady tick, from his distrust of Western medicine to his worldview (which calls to mind Andrew Sullivan explaining Edmund Burke): “Brady has always been smart enough to accept that it’s impossible to know everything.” But the most interesting anecdote in the piece comes just after Van Valkenberg’s discussion over the controversy surrounding Brady’s support of Donald Trump. Here’s how Van Valkenberg explain’s Brady’s response to the kerfuffle:

It speaks both to the bubble that Brady lives in and the sense of loyalty he feels toward his friends that he seemed genuinely surprised by the backlash. But it wasn’t out of character. In 2012, when JPMorgan Chase lost $6.2 billion through a series of bad investments, Vanity Fair reported that the bank’s CEO, Jamie Dimon, received a surprise phone call from Brady, with the quarterback telling him to “hang in there” and that even Super Bowl champs have bad days. The two had never met.

I guess this shows a certain degree of empathy on Brady’s part, but man this is a weird thing to do, and it’s weirder still that the best example of Brady’s empathy is him telling another mega-rich dude to “hang in there” in the face of adversity. Lending support to someone who’s having a bad day is always a good thing to do, but this gets at the curious mix of insularity and the Great Man Theory that could be called the Patriots Way.

https://newrepublic.com/minutes/128199/tom-brady-weirdo-calls-wall-street-bankers-theyre-bad-days

[beaglelover]

1. WGAS! He's a GREAT NFL quarterback!!!

[Yavin4]

5. Oh, Who Gives A Shit (WGAS)

Took me a while to figure that out.

[GummyBearz]

26. One cheats the tax payers, one cheats NFL fans

I'm just surprised Brady didn't give Dimon tips on deflating footballs, and how to appeal and over turn the penalties for cheating after you get caught.

[nilesobek]

27. One lying cheater to another.

He will be forever known as the *asterick QB* in the record books.

[Fearless]

45. Good luck with that.

Maybe you should ask the opinion of his peers. People who actually know what they're talking about. He is the gold standard of professionalism.

[nilesobek]

50. No one knows

How many seasons Brady has been deflating his balls. Could be a whole 15 years. If Brady cannot get his short passing game with deflated balls within five yards of the line of scrimmage, then the patriots fall apart. Like they did in Denver. Gold standard of professionalism? Like destroying cell phones? Hope Denver has him digging the turf from his facemask all day long Sunday.

[Travis_0004]

62. He seemed to do ok against the seahawks last year with fully inflated balls.

[Lurker Deluxe]

76. except

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/1-year-after-deflate-gate-ballooned--science-shows-shame-of-it-all-073316233.html;_ylt=AwrXnCLQuKNWkWsA9DFNbK5_;_ylu=X3oDMTByNzdqbzZjBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMzBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--

It has been debunked all over the web.

"The problem at the time is the arguments were being made with false data supplied by the NFL (which vastly overstated the numbers) and no information on how it was collected or any surrounding circumstances."

It was all a witch hunt.

[nilesobek]

79. Ok thanks for that.

Instead of using facts sometimes I just carry on.

Dammit I just want them to lose and I'm succumbing to my emotions. I have to admit the deflating was no factor in the Super Bowl and I'm a big seahawk homer.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

52. Most of his peers won't be able to remember their own name in 20 years, never mind Tom Shady's n/m

[Drahthaardogs]

60. What the hell are you smoking?

When Josh McDaniels went to Denver with the "Patriot Way" he really brought it. So much so, he too was caught video taping other teams practices. It shows you what the franchise is all about. It was the final straw and Pat Bowlen fired him.

Patriot fans like to say "hate us cause they ain't us", but no. The Bill Bellicheat legacy will be something Brady will never shake. It is too bad too because he probably did not have to do it. They both have plenty enough talent without cheating.

[yeoman6987]

29. Ha patriots! Americas team! I think they are great!

[Dretownblues]

2. As a Pats fan

I love Tom Brady the football player, however, Tom Brady the person not so much.

[rockfordfile]

8. Well they're the same person

I'm curious how the guy feels about African Americans.

[joeybee12]

9. Yeah, I bet he holds them in contempt...

since most of his teammates are African-American.

[rockfordfile]

18. It would be interesting have much of a fan of Trumps the guy is

I wouldn't be surprised if he has some disdain for African Americans.

[Fearless]

46. Does Hillary hate black people too?

She's also friends with Trump.

The blatant race baiting is disgusting. Shame on you.

[PragmaticLiberal]

16. I would assume he's fine with them.

He has biracial nieces and dotes on them from all reports.

[rockfordfile]

21. Like I said already I wouldn't be surprised about this guy.

[Dretownblues]

20. Not really

His occupation doesn't have anything to do with his personal beliefs, he isn't a politician where that would matter. I'm not sure why you want to know how he feels about POC, has he done something questionable to make you ask that?

[rockfordfile]

22. Maybe or maybe not, but I wouldn't be surprised.

[Dretownblues]

23. Based on just your assumption?

I would be surprised because he hasn't done anything to make me think he has a problem with AAs.

[rockfordfile]

25. Didn't he turn down a visit to the White House last year?

He's a far right winger.

[yeoman6987]

30. That wedding he went to is such a neuscence

I guess you can't have a life.

[ileus]

38. Probably pretty darned good since some of his best teammates are/were AA.

[Fearless]

48. And friends and family for that matter.

[Maru Kitteh]

80. Making money off of people does not equal respect

On and off the field, from the skybox to the sandpit; sports is littered with covert and overt racism. I don't claim to know anything about Brady other than he's a cheating liar.

But making money off of your teammates and merely being on a team with people doesn't mean you respect them.

[Takket]

3. If only every GOPper took Brady's career path.

We should be glad to have a right winger playing QB in the NFL and not in public office.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

53. Jack Fucking Kemp gave us both n/m

[GeorgeGist]

4. Greedy fucks stick together.

[Fearless]

49. You do realize he took pay cuts

To keep the team below the salary cap so that they could go after big contacts... like Randy Moss several years ago, whom they couldn't afford if he hadn't.

Clearly greedy.

Evidently hates black people to if you listen to this thread.

Of course neither is true, no matter how loudly it is bleated.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

54. LOL

He practically owns a piece of the team. I'm sure he's not getting a dime of Kraft's ill gotten gains.

You should get a job with the Boston media. This is exactly the type of ball washing you only hear from those sycophants.

[Fearless]

71. I'm not even sure what you're implying here.

He does not have an ownership stake in the Patriots or any team anywhere.

[Rex]

6. No doubt he called him Mr. Dimon.

Is Tom Brady so delusional as to think he is on the same level as a Jamie Dimon?

Wow.

[NCTraveler]

47. With respect to ambition, probably pretty close. Nt

[Rex]

67. Good point! nt

[Fearless]

7. Who cares?

He's not politically motivated and is not trying to impact policy of any kind.

He is the greatest quarterback in history. If the issue is that he's weird... Look at the dog fighting, wife beating, assault and battery acting, murdering, philandering assholes that exist in the NFL. What's the problem exactly?

[rockfordfile]

11. He's the typical right wing idiot

Not the greatest QB. He wouldn't survive in the 90s, 80s, and 70s. No way rules are to relaxed now days. Defenses today have the rules way off in favor of the offenses.

[Lurker Deluxe]

41. Right ...

Because athletes from that era had better training, diet, and all of the other things that made them more durable and stronger than those of today's era. Have you ever read about Brady's diet and workout regimen?

Who would you attempt to say would be better from that era?

Brady is 6'4" and 225 pounds and reads defenses and gets rid of the ball faster than damn near anyone. He would have destroyed others back in the day if you were to put him, as he is now, in that era. He has to deal with D-lineman that can run 4.4s, back then ... only offensive players were that fast. Sorry ... todays NFL is bigger, faster, and meaner than anything from the last decade.

[rockfordfile]

55. No he wouldn't

The defenses of today have a lot of rules against them. It's not even close. The NFL is bigger, faster, and meaner has nothing to do with it.

[Lurker Deluxe]

75. I get it ... you are a hater.

And that is cool and all. But to compare the modern NFL player to their past is just futile. In the 80's Brady would have been bigger than most linebackers, damn sure faster, and in better shape just because of this level of devotion to the game.

The only rule you can be talking about is the fact that you can not hit the QB like you could then, but I will tell you that being hit by a LB who is 10 pounds lighter then you is nothing like being hit by today's 250 LB. Back then you could use "stickem" and you think that would not have helped a QB?

It is just like those who would like to compare a basketball player from 40 years ago to L. James, you just can't. Modern sports medicine and training is past anything that happened just 20 years ago.

[Fearless]

42. What has he ever said that was political at all?

And he is the greatest quarterback of all time. So says everyone whom you claim is better.

[rockfordfile]

57. Perhaps time will tell

[Fearless]

70. It hasn't in 13 years why on earth would it now?

[Aerows]

13. My thoughts exactly.

Yeah, he's weird, but better weird than demented.

[LittleBlue]

24. Yeah true

I dislike him but he beat us fair and square in the SB. Best QB of the modern era and it's not even close. Shame about his politics and apparently his anti-science views. It's nothing serious though. He and his wife don't have Koch money, they can't influence policy like that.

[rockfordfile]

28. I think he likes the koch brothers.

Last edited Fri Jan 22, 2016, 06:08 PM - Edit history (1)

He seems to be extreme right winger. A good QB now, but I don't think so if played in the 90s, 80s etc...

[Fearless]

43. He had never said or done anything "extreme right wing"

He is a football player not a politician.

[rockfordfile]

56. Oh you a Patriot fan?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

58. If he is, you'll have to excuse him. I bet he thinks football was invented February 3rd, 2002 n/m

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

10. He's an idiot savant.

My guess is there's not much going on in his head other than football and looking pretty.

Fuck him. I pray to god they lose this weekend.

[elias49]

31. Does he personally bother you that much?

You 'pray to God' about the outcome of a football game?
I guess I know why I'm an atheist!

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

36. As an agnostic, I slip up on occasion and pray.

Don't like him

Don't like the owner

Don't like the coach

2 out of the 3 are frauds posing as "good guys" and the third is a total asshole.

[elias49]

37. Did you lose some $$ last year or something?

Just asking.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

39. No

I just don't like the Cheatriots. Sorry.

[smirkymonkey]

74. "Exhausted Bill Belichick Attempts To Wake Up By Splashing Some Blood On His Face"

http://www.theonion.com/article/exhausted-bill-belichick-attempts-wake-splashing-s-52107



HINGHAM, MA—After getting out of bed and trudging into his bathroom early Monday morning, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reportedly attempted to wake himself up by splashing some blood on his face. “I’m usually pretty groggy in the morning, so this is a good way to get energized,” said Belichick as he cupped some cold blood in his hands, tossed it onto his face several times in quick succession, and rubbed some blood in his eyes before drying off with a washcloth. “I always feel so much better afterwards—refreshed and ready to start my day. It wakes me up right away, which is great when I don’t have time for my usual hot blood shower in the morning.” Reports later confirmed that after getting dressed and putting on his shoes, Belichick realized he was late for work and quickly filled a travel mug with some steaming hot blood before rushing out the door.

[Fearless]

44. There isn't a single person who plays the game

That would ever insult his intelligence.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

51. Look up what an "idiot savant" is.

Where did I insult his intelligence on football?

Guy's very smart, no doubt. Throw the ball five yards to the little white dude on the crossing route or twenty on the fly to the roided up neanderthal and let them take the hit.

[smirkymonkey]

73. He has always struck me as being sort of blank.

A pretty machine with not too much going on upstairs.

[joeybee12]

12. I tend to doubt I might not get along with any professional athlete

Not because of religious or political beliefs, but because they are so dang focused it would be hard to talk about anything except what he or she is currently doing.

[Octafish]

14. Tom's a SuperStar in the NFL Billionaire Firmament.

He and his chums can afford stem cells and complete blood transplants in Switzerland.

We the proles can rot in hell for all that 1-percent of 1-percent of 1-percent cares.

[geek tragedy]

15. best QB ever, but not a likeable guy nt

[Johonny]

17. Brady has single handedly made AFC football dull for me:)

12 division titles in 13 years and five straight championship games. The AFC east used to be one of the most exciting to watch and now it is a forgone conclusion as to the winner. I guess the NFL can tell me when the team I follow will be relevant again. I've really moved on to other sports. Not even interested in the playoffs past few seasons.

Brady great player, interesting personality, politically... probably a RW blowhard.

[rockfordfile]

19. He should be asked why he supports a racist for President

[elias49]

33. You go first!

I'd be embarrassed to ask a professional ball player why he votes a certain way. That's not why I follow his career.

[rockfordfile]

40. I think somebody did, but he just left the podium.

[Depaysement]

32. So . . .

. . . Brady called Jamie Dimon 4 years ago and he said nice things about Trump, two items that have been widely reported. He's a 1%er. What a surprise.

But who really gives a damn? On the football field, Tom Brady QB is the GOAT.

[Dr. Strange]

34. Hi, Mr. Banker! I thought you could use a pick-me-up.

You seem deflated.

[madinmaryland]

64. LOL!! Thread win!!

[hfojvt]

35. isn't this too many paragraphs?

the lack of quotation marks made me think you wrote it.

Also, calling Jamie Dimon is not the only example of Brady's empathy

http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/12/26/tom-brady-new-england-patriots-cancer-patient

http://www.wmur.com/news/tom-brady-sends-message-to-woman-in-hospital-over-thanksgiving/36666596

what a weirdo.

[bluedigger]

59. Damn glad he's my QB.

Tom's a little weird, like most standouts in any profession. It takes a big ego to climb to the top, and I suppose he identifies with others who have had similar success in their respective industries. His dietary ideas are really out there, but it's hard to argue with his results. He claims no interest whatsoever in politics, for the record. As for claims of his not being a good guy, as the QB he's been the leader of a successful team for a decade and a half. If he was, in any way, an asshole, it would have surfaced by now. In fact, I'd argue that the evidence is all to the contrary.

Still waiting for the NFL to release any data they collected on PSI this season...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

61. I should say that it's not just a coincidence that ESPN has given strict orders to its hosts and

commentators to stay out of politics and not make ANY politically-charged statements.

How convenient.

[hifiguy]

63. He's a very odd sort of duck.

Clearly he lives in a bubble so unreal it's hard to conceive of it and has no idea of what the real world is. He's pretty profoundly disconnected from reality.

Hell of a QB, though, and I am a diehard Vikings fan. He's certainly one of the few best ever to play the position.

[MerryBlooms]

65. Meh. I'm sort of surprised with everything else going on, this even made it onto your radar.

[OldHippieChick]

66. Meh

Go Broncos!!!

[kwassa]

68. This is silly-assed shit, this article. Everyone hates the success of the Pats, and Tom Brady.

because their team is losing to them.

Brady made his own success, and is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

[underpants]

77. The OP found two small parts of a really good article

Yes he is clearly the best QB who ever played the game....well, since Otto Graham.

[Jim Lane]

69. Let's also note that Brady was the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft

I don't like his politics, either, but people might show a little appreciation for a guy who was so lightly regarded by the experts but who went on to accomplish so much.

Maybe an NFL stats maven can say whether any other sixth-round pick has ever won even one MVP award, let alone multiples (twice regular season MVP and three times Super Bowl MVP).

[bigwillq]

72. Best QB ever

But I really can't stand him. I find nothing likeable about him at all. He seems like a big douche.

[redstateblues]

78. Any Patriots fan is part of the Corporatist, Oligarch cabal

At least that's the way it works here on Puritopian DU