Tom Brady stepped on the field for the first time this preseason on Saturday, playing one series against the Colts and addressing reporters afterward for the first time since his 11-day leave of absence.
“It’s all personal,” Brady said. “Everyone’s got different situations they’re dealing with. We all have really unique challenges to our life. I’m 45 years old, man. There’s a lot of s–t going on.”
The reasons for Brady’s absence were widely speculated, including that he was on “The Masked Singer,” but Tampa Bay never seemed to be worried that it would extend into the regular season. Of course, it didn’t.
Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the Buccaneers’ preseason game against the Colts on Aug. 27, 2022. AP
Tom Brady speaks to reporters after the Buccaneers’ preseason game against the Colts on Aug. 27, 2022. AP
“I’m ready to go,” Brady said. “I feel good. I’ve played football for a long time. I’m pretty good at it. Doesn’t take long for me to remember how to play it.”
Brady also restated his loyalty to the Bucs, saying he picked “the right place for me” after leaving the Patriots.
“I’m very grateful to everybody for allowing me to come down here and experience this part of my football life, which I look back and probably would be incomplete, having not had it,” Brady said.
At 45, Brady unretired after briefly stepping away after a divisional-round loss to the Rams in January. The Bucs start the regular season with a “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the Cowboys on Sept. 11.
