Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady says he wasn't on 'The Masked Singer' during break from Buccaneers

As of the second Tuesday of September, quarterback Tom Brady still hasn't given an in-depth explanation for the 11-day break he took away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the exhibition portion of the calendar last month. 

"It’s all personal," Brady told reporters following Tampa Bay's preseason finale at the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 27. "Everyone’s got different situations they’re dealing with. We all have really unique challenges to our life. I’m 45 years old, man. There’s a lot of s--- going on." 

Before that game, some began speculating that the Buccaneers cleared Brady to take a summer vacation so he could film a segment for Fox's "The Masked Singer" show. The thought was that the 45-year-old committed to appearing on the program as part of the lucrative deal he signed earlier this year to become the lead NFL analyst for Fox Sports whenever he retires from playing, for good. 

Brilliantly, Fox later teased in a "leaked" video that Brady will be featured in a future episode when the new "The Masked Singer" season debuts on Sept. 21. On the latest edition of the "Let's Go!" SiriusXM show and podcast, legendary broadcaster Jim Gray openly asked Brady about the rumor. 

"I don't know where they get all these things," Brady responded. "They've got to talk about something. It wasn't me. I wasn't masked, and I'm not a singer. So, that wouldn't really fit my profile. 

"I'm basically good at one thing, which is throwing passes. Other than that, I'm basically worthless." 

Multiple outlets have suggested that Brady's August sabbatical was related to the fact that Gisele Bündchen, his wife, is unhappy he didn't remain retired and instead returned for at least another season. 

Brady and company defeated the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday night and will next play at the 1-0 New Orleans Saints this coming Sunday. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Mets dealing with unique uniform issue this spring
Bengals' former first-round pick is making position change
CBS announces major changes to NFL pregame show
Analysts share concerns about Drake Maye's early success with Patriots
Five-time Pro Bowl WR expected to make NFL comeback with Jaguars
Cowboys finally address RB position by adding familiar face
Joel Embiid 'disappointed' by Knicks fans taking over Sixers arena
Timberwolves get brutal update on head coach's injury
Report: Kevin Durant 'never felt comfortable' in Suns' offense
Timberwolves win first series in 20 years after sweeping Suns
James Harden outduels former teammate as Clippers even series
Canucks rally to take shocking 3-1 series lead over Predators
Rangers sweep Capitals to advance to second round of NHL playoffs
Knicks shut down Sixers in final minutes to take 3-1 lead
Watch: Pacers' Myles Turner slams the door on Bucks
Women's hoops icon Candace Parker retires: Basketball world pays tribute
Falcons HC Raheem Morris addresses QB situation after curious draft pick
MLB making changes to uniforms after harsh player criticism
Four things we learned after Denny Hamlin's win at Dover
Mind-blowing stat sums up the Nuggets-Lakers series

Want more Buccaneers news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.