Not quite Mr Perfect: A look at Tom Brady's NFL scandals

Tom Brady may be one of the most decorated NFL players in history, but his 23-season career has not been without its controversies. The legendary quarterback found himself entangled in several significant NFL scandals over the years. Let’s take a look at some of the incidents that have blemished an otherwise stellar career.

Brady – still under contract with the Buccaneers at the time – had a number of sit-down talks with the Miami Dolphins, and was reportedly hoping to receive an ownership stake in the franchise, as ESPN reported at the time.

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After an investigation, the NFL determined that the rumors were true and sanctioned Stephen M. Ross for tampering with players and coaches under contract. The franchise was fined $1.5 million (£1.2 million/€1.4 million) and was forced to forfeit two draft picks for that year.

Also in 2022, Brady announced his NFL retirement during the offseason. The most decorated quarterback of all time was finally ready to call time on a 22-season career – to much fanfare.

But despite the song and dance, it wasn't to be. Just two months after his announcement, Brady retracted his words and stated to the press, as told by ESPN: “These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field”.

There are many theories behind his retirement stunt in 2022, some argue it was an economically driven decision. Nevertheless, the real reasons will probably never be known.

Back in 2014, Brady was involved in a major NFL scandal – one of the biggest in recent history. We're talking of course about 'Deflategate'.

Brady was accused of requesting an equipment manager to deflate some of the balls that would be used during the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Patriots would end up victorious against the Colts, with a mindblowing 45-7 score. Tom Brady completed 23 passes out of 35 attempts, resulting in 3 TD passes and 226 yards to his name. 

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The NFL conducted a lengthy investigation, and Brady was found guilty by the NFL. He was suspended for four games, and the franchise faced a fine of a million dollars.

It cast a huge shadow over the Patriots, who let's not forget were a football powerhouse, winning a total of six Super Bowl rings out of nine appearances.

The franchise's success was partly due to the great quarterback-head-coach chemistry between Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

Due to his close ties to the Patriots brand, many NFL fans believed Brady would eventually retire with the Patriots, yet a massive turn of events placed the legendary quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As Brady told the Athletic in 2024, his relationship with Belichick had become strained and was the root cause of his move. "Me and coach Belichick, we did what we loved and competed for 20 years together," Brady told The Athletic. "But I wasn't going to sign another contract [in New England] even if I wanted to play until [I was] 50. Based on how things had gone, I wasn't going to sign up for more of it."

Regardless of the scandals surrounding Tom Brady's 23-year career, he remains the most decorated quarterback in NFL history – and a shoe in for the 2028 Hall of Fame.

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