Tom Brady was 'stressed out' at beginning of season as parents battled COVID-19

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered their bye week with a 7-5 record as Tom Brady struggled to get acclimated to life with his new team. Since then, they are 7-0 and headed to the Super Bowl. 

Brady's struggles were quite concerning. However, it appears there's an explanation for his slow start in Tampa Bay. During an interview with ESPN Radio's Mike Greenberg on Monday, Brady's father revealed the QB was "stressed out" at the beginning of his Bucs' career because his parents were diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Tom Brady Sr. said he was hospitalized for three weeks in 2020 and he and his wife Galynn were "sick as a dog." 

"We've never missed a game at Michigan or New England or wherever," Brady Sr. told ESPN. "For the first two games when I was in the hospital, I didn't even care if they were playing -- much less missing the game. It was a matter of life and death, just like anybody who goes to the hospital. That's serious stuff."

Brady Sr. said Galynn, who is a breast cancer survivor, didn't have to be hospitalized. She was taken care of by her daughter, who is a nurse. 

Brady Sr.'s comments come after the Buccaneers' 31-26 NFC Championship Game win over the Green Bay Packers. Brady is heading to his 10th Super Bowl and searching for his seventh ring.

This is the first time since 2003 that the Buccaneers will play in the Super Bowl. While Brady's parents are fully recovered from COVID-19, he'll now face the most stressful game of the season next month against Kansas City.