It's probably likely that Tom Brady would be fine if he never sees CJ Gardner-Johnson again, and it won't be happening on the Microsoft Surface tablet the DB drove the Bucs quarterback to smash following a 4th quarter interception.
It was the play that appeared to truly send the 7-time Super Bowl champion's emotions to boil over as he suffered his first shutout in 15 years. After the play he ran over and yelled something at the Saints sideline. A few moments later he was shown on the broadcast smashing one of the tablets used for quick reviews of plays during the game.
Gardner-Johnson didn't much care what Brady had yelled toward his team. He was busy driving a wedge as far as possible into the future Hall of Famer's brain, a trick he does as well as anyone. The defensive back was shown on the broadcast stopping short, arms crossed in Brady's grill during the second half, a clip and image that will probably take a seat next to Shy Tuttle's Thanksgiving stiff arm of Matt Ryan in NFC South lore.
“On to next. I ain’t got time for that. I don’t know what he said. I don’t care what he said," Gardner-Johnson responded post-game when asked about the exchanges. "I caught a pick. I’m in the end zone with my teammates.”
This might be the greatest moment in Saints history pic.twitter.com/gL7k2CXxm8
— Jeff Asher (@Crimealytics) December 20, 2021
But it's clear the defensive back caught up with the rage highlights in the day following the game. It even inspired some Christmas giving, with Gardner-Johnson sending a message to Microsoft that he wants to replace the tablet Brady Hulk-smashed on the Bucs' bench.
"Can y'all send me a new Surface tablet?" The DB posted Monday afternoon. "I need to give it to a friend who broke his. Thank you and merry Christmas."
For the second straight season the Saints handed Brady a miserable night at Raymond James Stadium. A year ago, once the calendar changed, so did the Bucs offense, with Brady getting the last laugh in the playoffs and with yet another Super Bowl ring.
Maybe a grand Christmas gesture can help the Saints write a different ending this time around.
