When an athlete gets suspended for a performance-enhancing reason, he or she risks losing endorsements. Tom Brady is experiencing the opposite effect. His sponsors are embracing the penalty.
In a new Foot Locker spot, Brady pokes fun at Deflategate while verbally sparring with two kids in a restaurant:
"Just because something is great year after year doesn't mean anything is going on," Brady says. "Why can't some things just be great? It starts with questions, and then questions turn into assumptions, and then assumptions turn into vacations. So why would you punish the Week of Greatness for something that never even happened?"
According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, the script was written by Foot Locker and Brady was "all-in." The ad is part of Foot Locker's "Week of Greatness" campaign, highlighting a series of shoe releases. Brady, an Under Armour-endorsed athlete, is rocking a hoodie with the brand's logo.
Although Deflategate allegedly happened back in January 2015 during the AFC Championship for the 2014 season, Brady, who won Super Bowl XLIX, was not suspended until the first four games of this season (during which, he went on a vacation to Italy with wife Gisele Bündchen).
Since returning to the Patriots' lineup, Brady is averaging 327 passing yards and 2.4 touchdowns with a 72.9 completion percentage in five games. He leads the NFL in total QBR (86.9) and passer rating (125.5). Despite missing time against his will, Brady is a top favorite to win the NFL MVP Award.
Also, apparently Brady is a good actor.
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