Tom Brady Deflects Questions About Refs With Compliment To Reporter
BOSTON (CBS) -- Talk about an all-time sidestep.
Asked if he had any lingering thoughts in regards to some pretty bad officiating that plagued Sunday night's loss to the Denver Broncos, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady deflected the question in an unusual way: With some flattery.
"You've got a great voice, man," Brady responded to a reporter Wednesday afternoon in Foxboro. "It's pretty amazing."
While such a compliment likely made that reporter's career, he pressed on about Brady's reaction both Sunday night and Monday morning. Brady was less than pleased with the officials following the 30-24 loss -- New England's first of the season -- but as always, a game that took place three days ago is no longer his concern.
"We're just going to try to do our job. We'll let them do the officiating. Coach [Belichick] talks to them all the time and he tries to fill us in on the conversations he has so that we know when we're out there," said Brady. "I've calmed down a little bit and we've moved on from that game. We're facing a great opponent this weekend in the Eagles and we're going to have to be at our best."
Brady wasn't alone in sharing his displeasure with the officials this week, and we're not just talking about the sea of New England fans who were crying foul. Tight end Rob Gronkowski hit social media on Tuesday to respond to a 98.5 The Sports Hub tweet about the many offensive pass interference penalties he's received this season. Headlined "The NFL Is 'Absolutely' Targeting Rob Gronkowski With OPI Calls," the tight end simply replied "Agree."
Add that to Tuesday's joint statement by the team and Gronkowski family regarding the tight end's injury, and things appear to be changing down at Patriots Place when it comes to their usually-sheltered relationship with the media. While it's probably in your best interest NOT to ask Bill Belichick about such things, Brady has noticed a slight difference from past years.
"Things always evolve and change," he said. "Maybe there is a bit of change in Foxboro. Who knows."
Of course, Brady added that he won't be sending out any Tweets like Gronk anytime soon. We'll just have to settle for videos of him dressed as a turkey.
