Tom Brady says he ‘just loved’ working for Manchester United’s hated owners, the Glazer family, during his three-year stint with their NFL franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- The Glazer family own both Manchester United and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- United fans blame them for a lack of success and investment in infrastructure
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NFL legend Tom Brady revealed he enjoyed working for Manchester United and Tampa Bay owners, the Glazer family, during his stint with the Buccaneers.
Ahead of the start of the regular season this weekend, Brady reflected on his three years in Tampa Bay, which rounded off his 23-season career in the NFL after he announced his retirement for a second time in February.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner revealed he will still be rooting for his former teammates but surprisingly also had praise for the franchise’s owners.
Brady insisted that the Glazer family, who have owned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 1995 when Malcolm Glazer paid a then-record $192million, were a positive part of his football journey.
‘Yeah, and again, those three years I had were so amazing in my football journey,’ Brady said on his Let’s Go! podcast.
Tom Brady (left) revealed he enjoyed working for Manchester United and Tampa Bay owners, the Glazer family (pictured Avram Glazer, right, and Joel Glazer, far right)
‘And I just loved the Glazer family, all the players, Jason Licht, lot of guys I worked with closely and all the coaches, Todd Bowles and Bruce and – – Bruce isn’t there anymore — but Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin], Ryan Jensen’s out for the year, but Tristan [Wirfs] there, Cade [Otton]’s at tight end, some of the young running backs, Rachaad [White].
‘They got so many great guys and they’re just across the state here. I’m down in Miami now, they’re in Tampa. It’s a 40-minute flight. So I’m hoping to catch some of their games, too, but I’m pulling for those guys. These are my brothers and football brings us all together.’
The former quarterback’s claim that he enjoyed working with the Glazers comes as a surprise with the owners despised by the Manchester United fanbase in the United Kingdom.
Supporters attribute much of United’s stark decline over the past decade to the much-maligned Americans, who are blamed for a lack of success and investment in infrastructure – neglect that has left Old Trafford in desperate need of renovation.
United supporters held a sit-in protest at Old Trafford after their victory over Nottingham Forest and urged the Glazers to sell. Nevertheless, they were ignored.
As exclusively reported by Mail Sport, the Glazers are set to remove United from the market, having failed to generate bids close enough to their anticipated asking price. Unsurprisingly, the dramatic U-turn has generated fury among the fanbase and former players.
Former United defender and pundit Gary Neville recently blasted the Glazers for their handling of the club and attempted sale.
‘It’s just a game for them, they think it’s a toy!’ Neville raged on the latest edition of his Sky podcast. ‘Of course they’re going to sell. They’re desperate for money.’
Manchester United fans blame the Glazers for the club’s stark decline over the past decade
Brady is pictured with former United player Cristiano Ronaldo on a visit to Old Trafford
Brady recently ventured into soccer ownership himself with a minority stake in Championship club Birmingham City.
He invested into the Championship club at the beginning of last month. Neither the size of Brady’s stake nor the price he paid has been revealed publicly.
But he is expected to have a hands-on role with the team, applying ‘his extensive leadership experience’ while advising ‘on health, nutrition, wellness, and recovery,’ according to a club statement.
Brady’s acquisition came shortly after American billionaire Wagner became the club’s chairman as part of his ongoing takeover of the club. The two became acquainted through their teenage sons, who are classmates at a New York City prep school, according to Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, Brady is preparing to watch his first NFL season from the sidelines after retiring for a second time – this time ‘for good.’
The former signal caller performed a U-turn just six weeks after announcing he would retire from football the first time in 2022, returning for a final season before officially calling time on his career in February.
The former QB recently invested in Birmingham City – pictured at a game on August 12
The seven-time Super Bowl winner insisted he is excited not to put a helmet on again
This time, Brady appears to be sticking to his decision as he insisted he is excited not to put a helmet on again.
‘There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears and being out there in a hundred degree heat in Miami, and it’s hard in Tampa when you got helmets and shoulder pads on,’ he said.
‘And I am very excited to never put on a helmet again. I did enough years of that and putting that six pound helmet on your head in 102-degree heat, believe me I’m not ever gonna miss that.’
The Bucs kickstart their season at the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at 1pm ET.
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