Tom Brady’s HoF ceremony is lighting up! In a grand gesture to honor the architect of the Patriots ‘dynasty’, the team pulled out all the stops for a truly special tribute. In fact, they went against the usual 4-year wait for his induction. CEO Robert Kraft was at the Gillette Stadium with fans, current rookies, and even ex-Patriots veterans to ensure a “full-packed stadium”. However, the sneaky fun started backstage, where a touch of nostalgia mixed with controversial memories was at the center of the room.

Barstool’s John Feitelberg re-posted a hilarious video on X showcasing his interaction with Brady. “I can’t believe my first words to Tom Brady were “shut up” but at the same time it was a warranted response,” he revealed. The clip had Feitelberg and his crew, all decked in Brady’s iconic #12 jersey, having a memorable exchange with the QB. That’s when the NFL vet dropped an unexpected line.

“Waiting for f**king years.  This is like an exact replica…where are the handcuffs,” Brady joked upon seeing them. He indeed referenced their 2015 arrest for protesting against the league’s punishment of Tom Brady for the ‘Deflategate’ scandal. Along with him, four other members of the sports website were arrested too. The clip also captured the QB acknowledging their support, saying, “Thank you guys so much.”

Feitelberg’s quick retort with “shut up” perfectly encapsulates their bond. “Keep it real and hold it down for everybody,” Brady replied, enjoying the banter. He finished with a lighthearted comeback, “You guys are notorious, infamous, number 1!”  

Interestingly, a decade later, the legendary quarterback finally acknowledged his role in the scandal with a playful remark.

Tom Brady revisited ‘Deflategate’ on Netflix

One month ago, the New England Patriots family reunited for a special occasion – this time to playfully roast him for a Netflix special. The stage was set for merciless jokes, poking fun at everything from his high-profile divorce to his foray into cryptocurrency. Brady took it all in stride. But when it was his turn to fire back, he took aim at everything, particularly the sore spot: “Deflategate.”

“Remember Deflategate?” Brady quipped to the crowd. He went on to highlight the irony of the situation – the NFL, led by Roger Goodell, reportedly spent a whopping $20 million investigating the scandal. The infamous scandal centered Patriots messing with the footballs to make them easier to throw and catch for Brady and his receivers. His involvement was always questionable, but the team ultimately faced a $1 million fine and they had to forfeit 2 future draft picks. Brady was suspended for 4 games.

Fast forward to the light-hearted Netflix atmosphere, and Brady couldn’t resist a playful jab. “You could have just given me the $20m and I would have just told you I f**king did it.” While delivered in jest, it reflects the lasting impact of the Deflategate controversy.