Fumbled words from the GOAT Tom Brady, who has his hoof in his mouth

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady seems to really have his head shoved in a rather unpleasant place these days and I can only hope he gets his act together soon.

While recording a podcast episode of “Let’s Go!” with Jim Gray and Kevin Durant, Brady made the gutsy comparison of his career in the NFL to a military deployment saying, “I almost look at like a football season like you’re going away on deployment in the military, and it’s like ‘Man here I go again.’ There’s only one way to do it.”

During a press conference a few days later, he apologized, calling it a “poor choice of words.”

You think?

You play football for a living while there are men and women quite literally putting their lives on the line, giving you the freedom to do so.

You go away to training camp for what, a few weeks or maybe even months? They’re out of the country with little to no communication sometimes for years at a time. Some miss the birth of their children and so many other precious milestones.

You are paid millions of dollars to play a game.

Don’t get me wrong, I love watching football as much as the next person. The sense of pride you get when your team makes a seemingly impossible play or wins the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years is incredible. But in the end, it’s still just a game.

Our armed forces are sacrificing themselves for our safety and our freedom.

The fact that Brady even thought to compare the two is so ignorant.

I do not come from a military family, but I have several friends and family who are on active duty, reserve, or veterans.

I have seen the heartache when they have to miss things like holidays, weddings, and funerals. I’ve seen the worry in their eyes when they haven’t heard from their loved one for longer than normal. I’ve heard the pain in their voice as they explain why their family photo is short one smiling face for now.

But I have also seen the extreme pride as they speak of their accomplishments and endeavors as they serve us. I have seen the euphoria when they finally come home after years without their physical presence.

You have the option to go home, to call your family, to still be present while continuing your career.

More often than not, they don’t.

The fact that this game has impacted Brady’s marriage to the point it’s played a part in his divorce is so sad. I have no idea what Brady’s marriage was like or what other problems they may have had so I’m not going to pretend like I do, but if a game was even a slight reason for it ending, I’d hope Brady would take a serious look at his priorities.

Football is a game, and yes for you it’s his way of living, but it does not need to be held to this almost idolized standard. It’s almost pathetic.

I really hope Tom Brady has given some thought to his comment and starts to give more credit and appreciation to our troops. His little “business trips” will never compare to their selfless service and honor.

Laci Sutton is a Nickerson senior studying journalism and nursing. She is the Collegian’s Managing Editor-Content.

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