EXCLUSIVE: Former Falcons HC blasts coverage of Tom Brady’s reported divorce
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith isn't a fan of how brady-marriage-wants-divorce-reports" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Tom Brady's divorce has been covered across the NFL landscape. Despite the season now being well underway, Brady's off-field issues are still very much front and center.
Smith was speaking exclusively on 'The BallFather' podcast presented by Sportskeeda and stated that the coverage of Brady's divorce makes it feel like Hollywood.
Smith said:
"I want to say about the NFL, that is changed immensely in the last four or five years. And I've been out now for four, but it's, it has to do with the coverage, you know, we're almost being covered like Hollywood.
"You know, the people want to write, and it's happening with Tom Brady. Right now, they want to write about their personal lives. Look, the game is the game, and that's what we should be reporting -- that.
Smith added:
"You know, it gets, you know, it's gone way too far, you know, guys personal life and things like that. We don't need to know what a guy's doing on on Friday night, or if he's got this issue or that issue. It's all about what they can do on on Sundays, Thursdays, Mondays right now.
" And, you know, I feel for the guys because they're under a microscope. And, you know, it's almost like the National Enquirer in some cities."
Smith does have a point. It is something that isn't ideal to be in the public eye, but given that is where the 45-year-old has spent the last 20 years, it was bound to happen. Divorces aren't nice, and it's unfortunate that it's happening in the public space.
Has Brady's off-field troubles affected the Buccaneers?
It would have to a little bit, right? We have seen the 45-year-old be a little more short tempered than we usually would. There was the tablet issue (again), and his berating of his offensive line against the Steelers last Sunday come to mind.
Given that Tampa Bay is struggling at 3-3, many have pointed to Brady's off-field issues with his marriage as a reason for that. Unfair for sure. But there is possibly some merit in that, too.
But Smith is right; the coverage of the reported divorce has seen every news outlet on the planet get its bits and pieces. Nothing disimilar to Hollywood.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The BallFather podcast and H/T Sportskeeda.