Tom Brady fires back at ‘paranoid’ critics in statement

Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady made headlines during his team’s Week Two matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

During the broadcast of the game, Brady was spotted in the coaches booth. ESPN’s announcers were quick to point out upon seeing that that Brady is in constant contact with Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to discuss film and game planning each week. This immediately fed into the narrative of a conflict of interest for Brady, who covered the Raiders’ next opponent, the Chicago Bears, during their game on Fox on Sunday.

With concerns reaching a fever pitch over the last week and a half, Brady has finally broken his silence on the matter with a powerful statement.

Brady highlighted his commitment towards keeping his involvement ethical and above board.

In his “Do Your Job” newsletter, Brady denied the accusations that he is abusing his dual role as Raiders minority owner and broadcaster, while also taking a thinly-veiled swipe at his critics.

“I love football. At its core it is a game of principles. And with all the success it has given me, I feel I have a moral and ethical duty to the sport; which is why the point where my roles in it intersect is not actually a point of conflict, despite what the paranoid and distrustful might believe,” Brady said.

“Rather, it’s the place from which my ethical duty emerges: to grow, evolve, and improve the game that has given me everything.”

Kelly and Raiders head coach Pete Carroll have also downplayed Brady’s involvement in weekly preparation, saying that, while they value him as an additional resource, he is not passing on any information that could net them a competitive advantage.

The NFL also released a statement shortly after the Brady sighting that he was within his rights as minority owner to be in the coaches booth and did not violate any of the league’s rules or restrictions.

Until something turns up that suggests otherwise, the accusations of Brady handing off inside information are nothing more than accusations.