Why a national reporter should apologize to Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans
One of the most well-known NFL reporters in the country owes Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans — and Tom Brady — a big apology. For weeks after Brady announced his retirement, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio shoved it down Tampa Bay fans' throats that not only was Brady going to unretire, but he would be playing […]
One of the most well-known NFL reporters in the country owes Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans — and Tom Brady — a big apology.
For weeks after Brady announced his retirement, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio shoved it down Tampa Bay fans' throats that not only was Brady going to unretire, but he would be playing for the San Francisco 49ers in 2022.
Florio went on a weeks-long crusade trying to convince everyone that Brady was plotting his exit from Tampa Bay so he could land with his childhood favorite team in San Franciso.
"I got a great email,” said Florio in mid-February. "I don't know that the person wants his name to be shared, but it's explaining what's going on with Tom Brady. Classic mid-life crisis. Step one, a divorce from the Patriots. Step two, a short-term relationship with a trophy girl, the Buccaneers. Step three, a late-night text to the high school sweetheart, AKA the 49ers."
"I'm telling you, it's unavoidable," added Florio. "He's not gonna lower himself to have to dirty himself the way Aaron Rodgers is. He's gonna work it all behind the scenes. I just … I think he's gonna be with the 49ers Week one. I'm rooting for that so badly."
Florio even went as far as trying to connect Brady attending a Manchester United game to the Hall of Fame quarterback making a "graceful exit" from Tampa.
Florio was gaslighting an entire franchise for a month (actually two franchises…49ers fans thought they had a legit shot at Brady). Nothing he suggested was rooted in fact. It was all just a random email he claimed he received.
Calling the Buccaneers a "trophy" girl was uncalled for. So was the "mid-life crisis" comment about Brady.
Of course, Florio won't apologize — he rarely does. That's why I won't blame Buccaneers fans if they decide to hold a grudge against him for a long time.
Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
