When Tom Brady says something, people listen. And when the seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback talks about another player at his old position?
That will undoubtedly draw some attention.
On Sunday’s broadcast of the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, Brady, Fox’s new lead analyst, discussed the first time he encountered 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy during his first career NFL start.
“I’m sitting on the sideline and I’m like ‘How is Mr. Irrelevant carving us up? Is our defense that bad?’ It turns out that Brock is just that good.”
Tom Brady on being the opposing QB in Brock Purdy’s first NFL start in 2022.pic.twitter.com/ctDp5z7QeB
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 6, 2024
Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, has been dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant. ” He found surprising success in his week 14 start against Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie quarterback led his team to a 35-7 thrashing, and Brady wasn’t exactly thrilled when his current play-by-play partner, Kevin Burkhart, asked him to relive the memory.
“Aw man, why do you gotta bring that up,” Brady teased his partner before showering some praise on Purdy. “I’m sitting on the sideline and I’m like ‘How is Mr. Irrelevant carving us up? Is our defense that bad?’ It turns out that Brock is just that good.”
To be fair to Brady, he wasn’t alone in his skepticism about the 262nd overall pick in the draft at the time. If anyone can relate to the perception surrounding Purdy, it’s Tom Brady, the 199th overall pick.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.