“I Used to Be One of His Biggest Admirers”: Tom Brady’s Super Bowl LX Stance Sparks a Patriots Civil War

For more than two decades, Tom Brady was not just the face of the New England Patriots — he was the Patriots. Six Super Bowl rings, countless playoff miracles, and an era so dominant it reshaped the NFL’s modern history. In Foxborough, Brady wasn’t merely a quarterback; he was an institution. That is why his recent comments surrounding Super Bowl LX have landed like a thunderbolt, shaking the Patriots’ fan base and igniting open criticism from former teammates who once stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

As Super Bowl LX approached, many expected Brady, now retired and firmly entrenched as the greatest quarterback of all time, to publicly support New England. The franchise that drafted him, developed him, and built a dynasty around his right arm was once again on the sport’s biggest stage. For Patriots fans, the script felt obvious: loyalty, pride, and a nod to the past.

Instead, Brady chose neutrality — or worse, depending on who you ask.

In a statement that quickly went viral, Brady refused to side with New England, opting instead for what he described as an “objective, professional perspective.” While the words themselves were carefully measured, the message behind them hit hard. To many in New England, it sounded like emotional detachment. To several former Patriots players, it felt like betrayal.

One ex-Patriot, speaking anonymously but echoing a sentiment shared across locker rooms and social media, summed it up bluntly: “I used to be a huge admirer of him, but now I may have to use different words.” That quote alone captured the emotional whiplash rippling through Patriots Nation.

Stefon Diggs, never shy about expressing his views, added fuel to the fire by openly questioning Brady’s stance. While Diggs never wore a Patriots jersey, his comments resonated because they cut straight to the heart of the controversy: legacy versus loyalty. “When a team gives you everything,” Diggs said, “fans expect you to give something back — especially when it matters most.”

For Brady, the situation is far more complicated than critics want to admit. Since leaving New England in 2020, he has repeatedly emphasized his desire to be seen as more than just “the Patriots quarterback.” His Super Bowl victories with Tampa Bay validated that independence, but they also subtly shifted how he relates to his past. Brady has spoken often about evolution, growth, and moving forward — themes that resonate with athletes but can alienate fan bases rooted in nostalgia.

Still, the backlash following his Super Bowl LX comments suggests that emotional contracts in sports don’t expire when legal ones do.

Former Patriots defenders and offensive veterans alike took to podcasts and social platforms to voice their disappointment. Some pointed out that Brady never hesitated to praise Tampa Bay publicly, even in moments when New England struggled post-dynasty. Others argued that neutrality itself is a stance — and in this case, one that felt cold.

“New England made Tom Brady,” one former teammate said. “Yes, he worked his ass off. Yes, he’s the GOAT. But dynasties are relationships. You don’t just walk away from that and pretend it doesn’t matter.”

The NFL world, predictably, is split. Outside of New England, many fans applauded Brady’s refusal to play favorites, calling it mature and professional. Analysts praised him for not turning Super Bowl LX into a sentimental sideshow. From this perspective, Brady’s legacy is so secure that he no longer owes anyone symbolic gestures.

But football has never been purely logical — especially in New England.

Patriots fans still remember the late-round draft pick who replaced Drew Bledsoe, the icy stare in snow-filled playoff games, the improbable comebacks, and the dynasty-defining moments. To them, Brady’s silence — or perceived indifference — feels louder than any criticism.

What makes this moment particularly explosive is timing. Super Bowl LX was supposed to be a celebration of New England’s resilience and return to relevance. Instead, Brady’s remarks shifted the narrative, turning headlines away from the roster and onto a fractured relationship between legend and franchise.

Is this the breaking point? Probably not in a literal sense. Brady’s place in Patriots history is untouchable. Statues will still be built. Jerseys will still be worn. Highlights will still loop endlessly. But emotionally, something has changed.

The myth of eternal loyalty has cracked.

For the first time, a noticeable portion of Patriots fans are willing to publicly criticize Tom Brady — not for his performance, but for his perceived detachment. In sports, that may be the most dangerous criticism of all.

Super Bowl LX will eventually fade into history, remembered for its plays, its champions, and its drama on the field. But Brady’s comments may linger longer than expected, serving as a reminder that even the greatest dynasties can end not with hatred, but with distance.

And in New England, distance hurts more than defeat.