As the face of the New England Patriots franchise, Tom Brady knows his responsibilities and has carried himself with class during his illustrious career.
However, as the face of the NFL, Mr. Brady has caused quite the stir recently.
In May, Brady's wife, Gisele Bundchen, said in a CBS interview that her husband had suffered a concussion last season. The problem with that is the Patriots never listed him on an injury report as having had one.
With more attention and care being applied to player safety, head trauma, and concussion protocol than ever before, the five-time Super Bowl champion was more than coy at training camp Friday when it came to his own health record.
"I don't want to get into things that happened in my past. I don't think that is anyone's business," he said. "I feel the same as I did yesterday and the day before that."
Now, ESPN analyst Bob Ley took exception to Brady's statement by claiming it's the quarterback's duty and responsibility to the league — as the league's poster child — to contribute to helping the NFL better itself.
"The hell it isn't Tom. With enhanced NFL protocols in place to diagnose and treat brain trauma, that the league's greatest ever quarterback may have had concussions despite never being listed as such on an injury report: That is news," Ley said.
Ley is absolutely correct. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
The NFL is in an age where it must evolve and be proactive in protecting the safety of its players. And, as a public figure and arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, it's Brady's responsibility to contribute to the league's efforts.
It's not just about Brady. It's about his friends, teammates, and colleagues.
(h/t ALL22)
