Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel insisted that he did not have any issue with Tom Brady's decision not to publicly back New England ahead of Super Bowl LX earlier this year
Mike Vrabel defended Tom Brady's decision not to back the Patriots in Super Bowl LX
Mike Vrabel defended Tom Brady's decision not to back the Patriots in Super Bowl LX(Image: Getty Images)
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Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel asserted that there is no bad blood between him and Tom Brady after the FOX Sports analyst turned his back on New England ahead of Super Bowl LX.
Prior to the Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in February, Brady made waves across the NFL when he revealed he wouldn't be cheering for his former team in the Big Game. The ex-quarterback enjoyed considerable success during his two-decade stint in New England, securing six Super Bowl championships, 17 NFC East titles and three MVP awards.
Patriots fans and players made no attempt to conceal their disappointment with Brady in light of his unbiased opinion, as former defensive tackle Vince Wilfork called the 49-year-old’s comments “bull----.”
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While making an appearance on WEEI, Vrabel — who was Brady's teammate for eight seasons, winning three Super Bowls together from 2001-2008 — insisted that he wasn’t offended by the color commentator’s remarks.
“Clearly Tom’s gone out of his way to make it known that … he has a new job and a new role and, you know, it is really what it is,” Vrabel said earlier this week.
“Tom’s a friend; he’ll always be a friend. He was a former teammate, but, I mean, he’s made it clear, like, ‘I’m doing something new now.'”
Despite his illustrious track record with the Patriots, Brady maintained that he didn’t "have a dog in the fight" regarding this year's Super Bowl.
Mike Vrabel and Tom Brady played together on the Patriots from 2001-2008
Mike Vrabel and Tom Brady played together on the Patriots from 2001-2008(Image: Getty Images)
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"I think there's always different chapters in your life," he said during an appearance on the 'Let's Go!' podcast. "And you have different chapters and moments that you go through where you are affiliated with a certain team. Michigan, and then I was with the Patriots for 20 years. I was with Tampa for three amazing years. I've been in broadcasting, now I'm an owner of the Raiders.
"So, those memories that I have are forever ingrained in me and I'm indebted to all the people who worked so hard to help make our team successful."
"Look, I don't have a dog in the fight in this one," he later added.
"May the best team win. And in terms of the Patriots, this is a new chapter in New England. And I'm glad everyone has embraced the Mike Vrabel regime, all the amazing players that have worked so hard to get their club to this position.
"We did it for 20 years. There was a little bit of a hiatus in there, but the Patriots are back and it's a very exciting time for everyone in New England."
After facing a fierce wave of online backlash, Brady voiced his support for Patriots owner Robert Kraft on social media.
Taking to Instagram, he shared a photo of himself smiling with the 85-year-old alongside the caption: “You know I got your back, RKK. Get that 7th ring so we can match.”