NEED TO KNOW
- Tom Brady was booed by the crowd at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25
- The former New England Patriots quarterback appeared onstage during a pre-race ceremony when the incident happened
- The Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts have a longstanding rivalry, and played each other in the 2014 AFC title game in which “Deflategate” occurred
Tom Brady received a chilly reception at the Indy 500.
The former New England Patriots quarterback appeared onstage to greet attendees during a pre-race ceremony on Sunday, May 25, and he was promptly met by a chorus of boos — likely from Indianapolis Colts fans.
Brady, 47, appeared to take the moment in stride, smiling and waving to the crowd.
The Patriots and the Colts have a longstanding rivalry, with Brady often at the center of the action. Brady ended Indianapolis' season in the playoffs on four separate occasions, per The Bleacher Report. The Patriots were also playing against the Colts during the 2014 AFC title game when the infamous “Deflategate” occurred.
Brady, who officially retired from the NFL in 2023, currently has a 10-year contract with Fox to work as a sports commentator for the network.
"It's been really fun to sit and watch these games from the 50-yard line," Brady said during an appearance on the Let’s Go! podcast in September 2024.
James Gilbert/Getty
"Although I'd much prefer to be on the field playing, because it's a lot more fun down there. But I’m not doing that anymore. But just watching from above and seeing how these guys are performing is pretty cool," he added.
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Speaking with PEOPLE later that month, Brady said he's enjoying the gig.
"Now, I'm back to work and I'm enjoying that, so I have no complaints," he said. "Just like everybody else, I try to wake up and try to do my best for the people that matter the most to me. And when you commit to the people like I have in my broadcasting at Fox, I want to do a great job for them and my teammates there. So my life's pretty full. I'm very happy."
The seven-time Super Bowl champion also now owns a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders — which some initially worried could be a conflict of interest with his work as a commentator.
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The NFL has since imposed restrictions for Brady as he navigates both roles, including barring him from entering another team's facilities and attending meetings or practices, though questions have continued to linger surrounding Brady’s unique position, according to ESPN.
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