Brady, by all accounts, was unharmed. He declined medical assistance and went to work at Gillette Stadium in preparation for Sunday’s season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. By late afternoon we had photos of Tom smiling and throwing passes at practice.
At halftime of last night’s NFL opener between the Vikings and Saints in New Orleans, it was learned that Brady had agreed to a new deal with the Patriots worth $18 million per year. Four more years for No. 12. He’s here until the end of the 2014 season.
Only here. Only with Tom. A day that started in frightening fashion ended with a late-night celebration.
The lasting lesson is all about fame. Tom Brady is the most famous New Englander of the 21st century. It’s that simple.
There are car crashes in our region every hour, but yesterday’s collision at the corner of Gloucester and Commonwealth was mega-news because it involved Brady.
Similarly, there are contract extensions signed all the time. But this is different. This is four more years for The Franchise.
I have always believed that John F. Kennedy and Ted Williams were New England’s top newsmakers of the 20th century. Now we have Mr. Brady. Tom’s supermodel wife, Gisele Bundchen, is news. His sons are news. His hair is news. His appearance at any restaurant is news. His charity deeds are news. His car accident is bigger than anything that’ll happen at the State House or City Hall this year. His new contract is a bigger deal than any Red Sox offseason acquisition.
Regional media outlets mobilized with hurricane fury when word broke of the accident involving Brady. Two Boston television stations dispatched helicopters to shoot practice from the sky (thank goodness the Patriots didn’t deploy their anti-aircraft missiles). Fans held their breath, worried that Tom might not be able to play this week. Fantasy geeks freaked. Some wondered about his vulnerability as he waded into the final year of his contract. What if he were to get hurt in an accident off the field?
