NFL legend Tom Brady was met with loud boos from the crowd at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday as he made an appearance at the 109th running of the Indianapolis Indy 500.
Newsweek contacted Tom Brady for comment by email via his agent on Monday.
Why It Matters
Brady, 47, famously led the New England Patriots in numerous heated matchups against the Indianapolis Colts, particularly in the early 2000s when the two teams were bitter AFC rivals. The tension was only intensified by the infamous “Deflategate” scandal.
According to ESPN, Deflategate alleged that the Patriots used an illegal process for lowering the inflation of game footballs at Brady’s instruction, who preferred the grip of softer balls. The QB has always denied the allegations.
Brady served a four-game suspension because the NFL believed he was “generally aware” of the scheme.
What To Know
In a video posted by Indy 500 fan account @1075thefan on X, formerly Twitter, captioned “Hear the boos when Tom Brady was announced at the Indianapolis 500!” Brady was shown on a podium wearing a blue and black racing outfit and being greeted by loud booing mixed in with cheers and applause.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion appeared onstage to greet attendees at a pre-race event on Sunday, People reported.
As reported by Fox News, Brady was in a Fox Sports fire suit and had an IndyCar racing helmet. He took part in the event as a passenger in the “Fastest Seat in Sports,” a pre-race tradition where a high-profile figure rides along in a two-seater IndyCar driven by a professional driver, in this case, former NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson.
As the broadcast introduced him, sections of the crowd erupted into noticeable boos, likely stemming from his storied rivalry with the Colts during his tenure with the New England Patriots.
Despite the mixed welcome, Brady smiled and waved to the fans, seemingly unfazed by the reaction. He later posted highlights from the experience on social media, captioning a video on X, “HERE WE GO!” with three racing flag emojis. The video posted to his 3 million followers has since had almost 400,000 views.
Brady retired from professional football in 2023 and has since transitioned into multiple post-playing ventures, including a 10-year broadcasting deal with Fox Sports and a minority ownership stake in the NFL franchise the Las Vegas Raiders.
He’s also been active in various business and philanthropic efforts, though his public appearances, especially in sports contexts, clearly still generate passionate responses from fans.
The Indianapolis 500 drew 350,000 spectators this year, according to Fox Sports. While not everyone in the stands booed, the reaction was loud enough to trend on social media and spark renewed debates among fans about Brady’s legacy.
What People Are Saying
Jimmie Johnson, as reported by Fox News: “I love the Indy 500. There is an energy and excitement around the 500 that is unlike anything I have experienced before… Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I’ve had outside of the car. I’m thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time. I’m extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion.”
What Happens Next
The 2025 Indy 500 race will be broadcast on Fox and available to be streamed live on the station’s website and sports app.
The post Tom Brady Greeted With Massive Boos at Indy 500 appeared first on Newsweek.
