Last week, the esteemed Inside Track noted noted that Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen were cavorting around Europe after spending more than a month in Costa Rica earlier this off-season.
I don't much care about what Brady does away from football; the guy's entitled to go on vacation like the rest of us, but the fact that The Greatest Teammate to Ever Walk the Earth is missing voluntary workouts to kick it in Europe is a bit disconcerting to Patriots fans and scribes, apparently.
In Mike Reiss' most recent mailbag on the Boston Globe website, he answers this question from a puzzled Pats fan.
Q: I have been under the impression that Brady is a big part of the off-season work out program and I have been seeing pictures of him running around Europe with Gisele. What's up with that? I would think after the way the season ended he would be front and center in the weight room, not at fashion shows. I hope I am wrong but it seems like he is losing his focus that has made him great in the past. What are your thoughts?
- Eric
A: I was surprised to see the pictures myself, Eric. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think it will be a huge deal once the season begins - and Brady will probably still be one of the offseason award winners, meeting the required attendance - but I would say that it didn't look good.Well, Brady might still win some off-season awards, but he's already out of the running for the perfect attendance certificate. And no amount of brown-nosing will change that. Of course, I imagine being able to make time with Gisele at his leisure more than makes up for some stupid piece of paper.
Despite the fact it's voluntary; I have bought in to the importance of the offseason program over the years, mainly because members of the Patriots - from players, to coaches, to management - have said as much. It's a time to build chemistry and camaraderie in the locker room. Brady is a captain of the team and its top leader, and while I think his focus will be sharp and he'll put in the necessary work to be ready for 2008 -- I wasn't expecting to see those pictures of him during the first week of the program.
Whatever, I'm with Reiss; ultimately, this won't have any bearing on Brady's 2008 season. Just like Tony Romo playing a little golf won't affect his preparations for the upcoming season. For some reason, fans think that their favorite athletes should never leave the team's facilities, and under no circumstances should they date, especially if the love interest is a celebrity (even D-listers).
The argument goes something like this: "athletes are paid millions of dollars to play a game; the least they can do is spend every waking hour studying film/lifting weights/running sprints/finding a way to beat the Mannings." Yes, because that philosophy worked out so well for Todd Marinovich, who, to the best of my knowledge, still doesn't have three Super Bowl rings.
Famous Babes in Sports History
There's an object of affection that might do more harm than good for Tom Brady - his current love interest, Gisele Bundchen
Famous Babes in Sports History
There's an object of affection that might do more harm than good for Tom Brady - his current love interest, Gisele Bundchen. Take a historical look at other babes connected to sports stars who suffered around the time of their relationships.
John Shearer, WireImage.com
Babe: Jessica Simpson | Sports Star: Tony Romo
Romo had his worst game as an NFL quarterback by tossing three interceptions and no touchdowns when his current flame attended the Cowboys' game versus the Eagles last December.Evan Agostini, Getty Images
Babe: Eva Longoria | Sports Star: Tony Parker
Parker and Longoria got happily hitched last summer, but the start of 2008 was pretty rough for the Spurs' point guard. Parker missed weeks of action with bone spurs in his heel.Vince Bucci, Getty Images
Babe: Halle Berry | Sports Star: David Justice
In 1992, Berry wed the former Braves slugger, but their marriage came to a close just four years later. Justice had his worst season as a pro around the time of their split, only hitting six homers in 1996.Carlo Allegri, Getty Images
Babe: Kim Kardashian | Sports Star: Reggie Bush
The socialite and the Saints running back were first spotted getting cozy last summer. About six months later, Bush was forced to miss the season's last four games with a torn ligament in his left knee.Jean Paul Aussenard, WireImage.com
Babe: Robin Givens | Sports Star: Mike Tyson
The actress' marriage in 1988 to the former champ was short-lived, and ended with Given accusing Tyson of spousal abuse. Soon thereafter, Tyson's career deteriorated as his personal turmoil increased.Vince Bucci, Getty Images
Babe: Marilyn Monroe | Sports Star: Joe DiMaggio
Monroe's bond to the Yankees legend in 1954 lasted 274 days. Devastated by her death in 1962, DiMaggio claimed her body and arranged her funeral, barring Hollywood's elite. He would never remarry.Alfred Eisenstaedt, Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images
Babe: Sheryl Crow | Sports Star: Lance Armstrong
The pair announced their engagement in 2005, but called it off five months later. Coincidentally, that was also the year when Armstrong faced allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs.Francois Guillot, AFP / Getty Images
Babe: Paris Hilton | Sports Star: Matt Leinart
Hilton reportedly dated the Arizona Cardinals quarterback in the summer of 2006. Leinart wound up missing most of his 2007 season on injured reserve with a broken collarbone.Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 13)
1. How do the people that put this stuff in print have jobs!
Posted at 8:58PM on Apr 1st 2008 by crestcape
2. Brady should be fat and out of shape about now. Let's see on vacation for a month in costa Rica and now Europe. That is pretty bad for a professional athlete. It is ok to go on a vacation, but not this long. I could not imagine not training for two weeks, let alone more than a month. I have not even mentioned what his diet would be like?
Posted at 9:24PM on Apr 1st 2008 by cangle12
3. I'll bet they don't even have fitness equipment in most fancy Costa Rican hotels. Duh!
Posted at 10:07PM on Apr 1st 2008 by ciawhite2006
4. Oh Yea, They have fitness center in the fancy hotels . u bet they do! Look who they attract.
Posted at 10:31PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Bonzi
5. Oh Yea, They have fitness centers in the fancy hotels. U bet. look who goes to those places.
Posted at 10:31PM on Apr 1st 2008 by c. moreton
6. Who is He kidding, He is just looking for new ways to cheat again. Once a cheater always a cheater........Loser.
Posted at 10:33PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Don
7. I thought VOLUNTARY ment that you can go OR not go to workouts..besides I hear sex is a better workout and apperantly he's getting enough exercise on vacation.
Posted at 10:33PM on Apr 1st 2008 by lvnv
8. Oh please! Have you people nothing better to do than sit around and wait to jump at the chance to attack The Patriots and Red Sox teams? They are great teams. Get over it and try getting "real" lives! Geeze!
Posted at 10:40PM on Apr 1st 2008 by AngelPam48
9. Ryan haven't you got that date with Tom YET? My god you spend so much time on this guys life that one has to assume that you really want the guy bad.Hey, go get that blond wig and high heels you need and lay down under a dump truck of cosmetics,cause it would take that much, and maybe you'll get your dream date.Man your need is showing and has been for a long time now.
Posted at 10:44PM on Apr 1st 2008 by roger childress
10. Tom Brady is entitled to miss workouts so he can find time with his girlfriend. No harm no foul.
Posted at 10:46PM on Apr 1st 2008 by George B Vieto
11. Just because he's on "vacation" doesn't mean he isn't hitting a gym...she probably is too....you don't think they get to look like that without any kind of work do you??
Posted at 10:47PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Char
12. Oh, well. What do you say about a football player that spent most of the SuperBowl on his back.
Posted at 10:52PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Denise
13. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT TOM JUST HAVE SOME FUN AS A GIANTS FAN I'M BEHIND YOU 100%.
Posted at 10:54PM on Apr 1st 2008 by johnjackone
14. A month or2 on costa rican beaches and european hide-a-ways with Giselle!!!........C'mon what a work out!!!!! ....I'm sure he's in great shape...I just hope he doesn't pull a 'hammy"
Posted at 10:55PM on Apr 1st 2008 by S.R. Kaufman
15. Its okay that he misses some workouts.. he will be awesome no matter what. I will only get mad if some stupid girl comes in between Brady and football or i will have to hurt her
Posted at 10:56PM on Apr 1st 2008 by brooke
16. Who gives a good rat's tail what he does. The hot dog will lose another sb.
Posted at 10:57PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Grammy2402
17. I thought Brady was gay?
Posted at 10:58PM on Apr 1st 2008 by todd
18. A month in costa Rica ? where is his son ? How about a little fatherhood.
Posted at 11:00PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Angel
19. Is Gezabell the one with his kid or is it the other HO??? What's her face??
Posted at 11:01PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Papa \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
20. would you rather spend time with giselle in europe or bill belichick in foxboro
hmmmmmm
Posted at 11:01PM on Apr 1st 2008 by bill