This month I interviewed Franklin’s one and only Tom Brady Jr. I have wanted to interview Tom Brady Jr.for some time. We all know how busy Tom is juggling his wife, two kids, and traveling for work, so I was thrilled when we finally sat down for this interview last night.
Hello Mr. Brady it is a pleasure to meet you. I am a big fan. May I call you Tom?
But of course.
Can you state your full name on the record?
Thomas Andrew Brady Jr.
Hmm? I thought that your name was Tom Edward Patrick Brady, Jr.?
No
Well you do play football right?
Yes
Right, for the New England Patriots.
No
Oh Sorry. What team do you play for?
The Brady Family team?
Not like the NFL?
No, Like Tom and Pru. You know touch football.
I am beginning to think that I have the wrong Tom Brady Jr. here. Are you at least a big patriot’s fan?
Oh Yes.
More so or less so since the year 2000?
The same.
So when Tom Brady became famous in the year 2000 it didn’t ruin your team loyalty?
No.
How did your life change?
I have a company called Tom Brady Carpentry and the year we went to the Super Bowl. I had “Tom Brady” signs in my truck that fans took. I also had magnetic “Tom Brady” signs on the sides of the truck that fans also took.
Oh dear.
My voice mails were loaded with young girls looking for Tom Brady. I had a kitchen cabinet set being delivered and the delivery guys stole the delivery labels off them because they were made out to Tom Brady. That was just the first year.
Well lots of young girls? That must have been a plus?
My wife didn’t think so.
Oh dear, Oh my, that’s terrible. Did you get any perks?
After the Super Bowl my best friend David the plumber would go out to bars and tell the bartender that Tom Brady was coming in for beers. The bartender never believed him so they’d make a bet. Then I’d show up, show the bartender my license and we’d drink for free.
I love free stuff! Any other perks?
Well after the first Super Bowl win John Henry called my parents house the day after to congratulate Tom Brady on the win. My mother with the thickest Irish brogue said that she thought that he had the wrong Tom Brady. He said “No I don’t believe I do?” She laughed and said “okay” and hung up.
And for idiots like me who is John Henry?
Do you know the Red Sox?
Obviously I don’t know as much about them as I should.
He’s one of the owners.
I am so ashamed…I know who Bob Kraft is….
Oh I met Bob Kraft when I did the signs for Bass Pro Shops, for Bob’s Signs.
Did he think it was funny that your name was Tom Brady?
He stopped me in the stair well because my picture was in the Boston Globe the day before.
Really? For what?
There was a picture of me hanging the signs for the Bass Pro Shops. I was on the front page.
Really? You are a celebrity! What did Bob Say?
I asked him for his autograph and he said that you are my other Tom Brady. So I asked for more zeros in the end of my paycheck.
Any luck?
Oh God no.
Did he laugh?
Yes, hysterically.
I am assuming that you still got the autograph?
Yes.
Did you ever get to meet Tom Brady?
Of course, more than once, I’ve met him three times.
What! Really?
Yeah I met him at Gillette stadium and once at Patriot place.
What? Just walking around?
He was jogging around Gillette field and I was working for Bob’s Signs again. We were putting up flags.
How did you meet him if he was jogging?
I stopped him.
How? Did you throw yourself in front of him?
Well, I stood in front of him.
Really? He’s 6’5” and you're short like me. He didn't run you down?
No.
Was he annoyed?
No at first he was surprised, then very pleasant.
That’s just crazy. Did you talk long?
A little then he said that he had to keep going on his routine and he jogged off.
That’s too funny? What about the second time?
He was walking to his car after practice and I got his autograph. I told him that my name was Tom Brady and he signed it “To Tom Brady oh what a name, (then he signed it) Tom Brady #12”
Amazing, then you met him yet again?
I met him at Patriot Place in front of Circuit city. He was shopping, he was running out and said a quick hi.
I am so jealous. It must be nice to be Tom Brady.
Well, whenever I order food for takeout in Franklin, its ready 10 minutes earlier.
Do the people look all disappointed when you come in?
Yes, I disappoint people all of the time.
Well you have not disappointed me. You are a fascinating guy. Before I let you go, do you and Tommy #12 have anything else in common?
We both have a beautiful wife and two beautiful children.
