Tom Brady comments on what happened with Antonio Brown

Tom Brady commented on what happened with Antonio Brown after the Buccaneers came back to defeat the Jets following the receiver’s meltdown.

One of the most bizarre incidents of the NFL season played out on Sunday afternoon when Antonio Brown ran off the field in the middle of a game and caught a flight home.

It sounds like an episode of The Twilight Zone or a bad Andy Kauffman stunt, but it was real life for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. As the Bucs tried to mount a comeback against the New York Jets, Brown ran off the field after ripping his equipment off and throwing his shirt and gloves into the crowd.

Brown danced in the endzone while the Bucs offense took the field and flashed fans a peace sign before running into the tunnel.

Tampa Bay eventually came back and beat the Jets 28-24, but the story after that game was about Brown’s meltdown. Bruce Arians refused to comment on the incident beyond saying that Brown was ‘no longer a Buc’, and wanted to focus on the players who were on the field — a not-so-subtle shot at Brown.

Tom Brady, however, did field questions about what had happened.

Tom Brady comments on what happened with Antonio Brown

“That’s obviously a difficult situation,” Brady said after the game. “We all love him and care about him deeply.”

Rather than bury Brown for quitting on the team, both in a game and a season where a depleted Bucs offense could use his talents, Brady preached compassion for someone clearly in need of help.

“I think everyone should be compassionate and empathetic toward some very difficult things,” Brady said.

Brady advocated for Brown to join the Buccaneers last season, which came after the duo spent a brief amount of time together in New England a year prior. Brown had much-publicized and dramatic exits from Pittsburgh — where he had been putting together a Hall of Fame career — and Oakland.