Tom Brady is a recently divorced dad in his mid-40s who appears adrift both personally and professionally. And he might be on the verge of doing something crazy.
This is the most relatable he’s been since he was carrying a pizza box when he met Robert Kraft. Mid-life crises come for everybody, including the greatest of all-time.
the case for brady trying stand-up
There are conflicting reports about Brady’s intentions to dabble in stand-up comedy. Radar Online, a gossip rag owned by shady ex-National Enquirer exec Dylan Howard, says Brady is thinking about getting on stage — much to the consternation of his close friends and confidants.
A source tells Radar Online that Brady, while he was a terrific quarterback, “needs to toss this idea before it’s too late.”
That’s such a good quote, it couldn’t possibly be fabricated. Right?
The Radar Online article says Brady got the itch after shooting “80 for Brady.” Apparently, the movie’s legendary leads — Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Lily Tomlin and Sally Field — “gushed” over his performance.
That’s believable. Brady had a minimal role in the film, and the four Hollywood icons were probably just being nice. But Brady didn’t become the best quarterback ever without an ego.
He might think he can actually tell jokes.
Let him.
For 20 years, Brady seldom ventured away from his comfort zone. Unlike Peyton Manning, he didn’t promote commercial products all over TV or guest-star in many shows.
Besides “80 for Brady,” his acting history includes a stint hosting “Saturday Night Live” in 2004, and brief cameos in the comedy “Ted 2” and Paul Rudd’s Netflix series, “Living With Yourself.”
In other words, he’s green on stage and in front of the camera. He would likely be terrible at stand-up.
How refreshing. Tom Brady trying something new, and failing, would be a welcome change of pace.
Of course, there would be a lot of rightful hand-wringing if Brady parachuted into a sold-out theatre with a planted crowd. So here’s a PR tip for Team TB12: if he actually wants to try stand-up, show up to an open mic night.
Yes, it would be gimmicky. But it wouldn’t be obnoxious.
We’ve seen small glimpses of Brady uncensored over the last couple of years, and he can be biting. Last summer, he infamously lamented that a potential free agent suitor decided to stick with “that mother—“ at QB instead of signing him.
This past fall, Brady complained to reporters about watching “a lot of bad football” early in the season. He was also very conversational during his “30-for-30” special with Charles Woodson about the “Tuck Rule Game.”
Brady standing on stage and ripping some of the NFL’s absurdities could make for an entertaining routine.
With that spirit in mind, TMZ reports that Brady is talking with Netflix to star in a roast special. The outlet says stand-up is out of the question.
TMZ didn’t elaborate on Radar Online’s assertion that Brady is delaying his Fox Sports deal in an effort to woo Gisele Bundchen.
It’s like a movie script: the Super Bowl-winning quarterback alienates his beloved wife, only to try and win her back with a crazy stunt.
Brady may be a god on the gridiron; but in life, he’s seemingly just as lost as the rest of us.
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the lazy criticisms of Jayson tatum
The Tatum wars: Jayson Tatum is the best athlete in Boston right now. So naturally, he’s in the middle of a sports culture war.
On one side, there are those who deride the budding superstar at every turn, chastising him for his supposed fixation with individual accolades. Dan Shaughnessy’s recent column about Tatum represents this point of view fairly well. He writes the following about Tatum’s historic All-Star Game performance:
“After scoring 55 points and being named MVP of the All-Star Game (“the worst basketball game ever played,” said Denver’s Mike Malone, who coached Team LeBron), Tatum said, “To be able to wear my signature shoe today and break the record and take home this award of somebody that I idolized [Kobe Bryant], it’s a hell of a day.
“Swell. But how about MVP of the Finals? Now that would be something.”
That’s quite a straw man. Who’s suggesting that Tatum would rather win All-Star Game MVP than NBA Finals MVP?
Tatum will always be questioned until he wins a championship, and he was overmatched during last year’s Finals. But the numbers say he’s one of the most clutch players ever.
According to NBA.com, he’s the only player in league history to shoot at least 50 percent on game-tying or go-ahead shots with less than 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter among players with at least 25 such attempts.
The anti-Tatum side has perception, the pro-Tatum side has facts.
We’ll see which one prevails.
ESPN is going green: ESPN is dedicating all of its programming Wednesday to the Celtics ahead of their matchup against the Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m.
The “Boston Celtics all-access initiative” will include footage from a behind-the-scenes coaches meeting, practice with Grant Williams and an interview with Marcus Smart. Perhaps most interestingly, there will also be a film breakdown with Tatum.
ESPN is usually all Lakers; but for one day, the C’s will outshine LeBron.
Combine madness: Forget the Super Bowl and dominant TV ratings. The fervor around the NFL Combine is always the biggest sign of the NFL’s omnipresence. The event, which is really about draft prospects running sprints and the 3-cone drill, is now a league-wide event, complete with a primetime viewing schedule.
Good to see I’m not the only one who enjoys watching men in tights.