Even rivals can’t resist Tom Brady‘s charm! His induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame was a huge deal, as he was honored by Robert Kraft and Co. and hundreds of ex-teammates and veterans came to cheer for him. From Jay-Z’s grand entrance to the tribute video narrated by John Cena, the whole night was hyped up. Soon, NBC’s Mike Tirico welcomed a “special guest” on stage to join Brady, and it was none other than his long-time rival Peyton Manning. 

A recent social media post captured the heartwarming display of mutual respect between legendary quarterbacks as they showered each other with praise. Manning acknowledged Brady’s dominance, stating, “You knew when you were playing against a Tom Brady team, you better be at your best, ’cause if you weren’t, Tom Brady was going to beat you every time.”

Brady, in turn, credited Manning for pushing him to be a better player. “I had to aspire to be like Peyton,” he confessed, further adding, “I look at him as the gold standard for quarterback play. There’s nobody like Peyton Manning out there right now.” Their rivalry was fierce, with both QBs facing off 17 times during their career peaks. Eventually, Brady emerged victorious in 11 of those matchups, cementing his reputation as a champion. However, despite the celebratory atmosphere and Peyton Manning’s respectful tribute, some critics continue to cast a shadow on Brady’s legacy because of his past involvement in an infamous scandal.

Rival fans reignited a major past controversy on Tom Brady’s big day

The viral NFL clip captured the heartwarming tribute of the two QBs. Soon, fans erupted online, buzzing with excitement in the comment section. Some celebrated the reunion, with one user exclaiming, “They both look great for being retired!” Another fan, caught off guard by the surprise, wrote, “”Gotta be f****ng kidding me” Haha.”

However, not everyone shared the joy. Few voices took the opportunity to criticize Brady. Their comments, laced with bitterness, called him a “Fraudulent qb” and a “Cheater.” However, they were not the only rival voices out there. Notably, the Bills and Patriots have a longstanding rivalry, and Brady’s dominance over them is undeniable. His career record against the Bills stands at a massive 33-3.

On the other hand, the ‘Deflategate’ scandal involved accusations that the Patriots tampered with footballs, altering their air pressure for an alleged competitive advantage. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence on Brady’s involvement, a fan used it as a weapon, declaring, “Bills own this fraud.” This critic served as a reminder of the lingering controversy surrounding Brady, even amidst a moment of celebration.