Out of Touch Off the Field

On paper there is nothing offensive about what Tom Brady told Sports illustrated writer Peter King. There was no condoning of Hernandez’s actions, no hat bearing the words ‘Free Hernandez’ on his head, and no mention of Hernandez at all.

In the public relations world Brady’s quote was perfect. In reality Tom Brady’s quote was unacceptable.

For this first time since Aaron Hernandez was charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, the face of the Patriots franchise had something to say on the matter. What he said was nothing offensive, though he feigned ignorance to the issue entirely.

The exact context of Brady’s comments looked like this. SI writer Peter King asked Brady “what’s you reaction to Aaron Hernandez’ being arrested and cut from the team, and how will his absence affect your offense?”

Brady answered: “I've seen a lot of things over 13 years, and what I have learned is that mental toughness and putting aside personal agendas for what's in the best interest of the team matters most. My job is to play quarterback, and I'm going to do that the best way I know how, because I owe that to my teammates regardless of who is out there on the field with me."

Yes Tom, one of your premier targets will not be on the field with you next season, but you barely answered the second half of the question.

It is common knowledge that the former Patriots tight end has been charged with murder, yet Brady didn’t give his take on the issue of a former teammate sitting in jail. This quote embodies the mindset of Brady and Coach Bill Belichick perfectly.

If it’s not about football it doesn’t matter.

Except Odin Lloyd is dead and a former teammate, and a former productive teammate, is the one going to trail for allegedly ending his life; that matters.

More importantly that deserves more than a passive dismissal from the face of the New England Patriots current icon.

Nobody is arguing with the Patriots track record of success. The Belichick Brady tandem has won 136 football games over more than a decade. Brady has the fifth most touchdown passes in NFL history.

We get that you guys are successful, but that doesn’t give either of them a free pass to just ignore problems that exist outside of their jobs.

Brady and Belichick have brought three Superbowl trophies to New England by making football the first, second, and third most important things in their lives.

While this mindset is great for winning games it is putrid when it comes to dealing with the outside world. And the Aaron Hernandez situation is the outside worlds crashing down on the ideal non-existent off the field issues for the Patriots strive for every year.

Even while the Patriots mindset is football first, there has to be a higher demand from the reporters asking him questions. Whether these journalists have to burn some bridges to get the honest answer everyone wants, in this instance it needs to be done.

Otherwise the Patriots will continue to focus on football and shut out the outside world. Much to the chagrin of Odin Lloyd and his family.