Tom Brady’s text to Super Bowl sledging rival revealed

NFL superstar Tom Brady has reacted after delivering a sledge to an opposition player that was something he wouldn’t repeat.

A referee separates Tyrann Mathieu and Tom Brady. Getty: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP

As much as Tom Brady’s performance in Super Bowl 2021 will be remembered for his seventh title and fifth Super Bowl MVP, the quarterback also shocked many with at times spiteful behaviour.

The Bucs quarterback repeatedly jawed with Kansas City safety Tyrann Mathieu, with Brady even running after Mathieu to get in his face at one point of Tampa Bay’s win.

According to ESPN, Brady apologised to Mathieu by text following the game “for losing his composure in the moment of the game’’.

The source also reportedly told ESPN that Brady’s actions were “in no way a reflection on his feelings toward Mathieu, whom (Brady) spoke of highly throughout the week leading up to the game”.

Mathieu was bothered by Brady’s actions, writing in a since-deleted tweet: “He called me something I won’t repeat, but yeah, I’ll let all the media throw me under the bus as if I did something or said something to him. Go back to my previous games against TB12 I showed him nothing but respect. Look at my interviews about him. I show grace.”

In his postgame interview, Mathieu said, “Listen, Tom Brady’s a great quarterback. I never really saw that side of Tom Brady, to be honest. But whatever, no comment. It’s over with. I’m done with it.”

Tom Brady gets in Tyrann Mathieu’s grill. Picture: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The two stars talked throughout the first half and tensions rose in the second quarter when Mathieu argued with officials whose penalty call erased his interception and led to a Tampa Bay touchdown. On a later touchdown drive, Mathieu was called for pass interference in the end zone.

As the PAT units came on the field, Mathieu pointed his finger in Brady’s face and Brady chased him down to deliver a heated message. They were separated by teammates and Mathieu was called for the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Internet lip-readers believe Brady had a two-word message about Mathieu when he was sitting on the bench moments later.

“F**k him,” the 43-year-old signal-caller appeared to mouth from the Buccaneers bench after the scuffle.

Mathieu, 28, already felt wronged by the officiating staff after having an interception taken back on a questionable holding call halfway through the second quarter. He was visibly shaken by the referees’ decision and raised his hands in disbelief.

– New York Post

Originally published as Tom Brady’s text to Super Bowl sledging rival revealed