during Super Bowl 51 Opening Night at Minute Maid Park on January 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

Our hearts go out to Tom Brady, whose family is dealing with a serious health concern

Tom Brady gave us a rare look at his emotional side this week. And now we know why

Tom Brady's multiple emotional displays during interviews with the media this week are something we've seen very little of over the course of his career.

Monday on WEEI's Kirk and Callahan Show, the New England Patriots quarterback got choked up when discussing his father. Then on Tuesday at a Super Bowl media event, a young boy asked him who his hero was and Brady teared up while answering that it was his father.

And now we know the likely source. According to Tom E. Curran of  CSN New England, Brady's mother has been battling an illness for the past 18 months. He writes:

A Brady family source told me Tuesday that Brady's mother, Galynn, has been dealing with health issues for the past 18 months. She's been doing much better recently, but her illness has been a major source of concern for the family, including Tom Brady Sr., and Brady's sisters, Julie, Maureen and Nancy.

RELATED: Emotional Tom Brady gets choked up trying to answer who his hero is

Brady's mother's illness is also reportedly part of the reason he chose not to take his Deflategate suspension fight to the Supreme Court. 

His parents, Brady said, will be in Houston Sunday for the game, which he's especially looking forward to.

"...It'll just be nice having everyone here watching us this weekend," Brady said. "That's my mom and dad. They've been so supportive my entire life, it's nice to be able to show them . . . to try to make them proud..."