Tom Brady Responds to Donald Trump Rally Questions

Originally published Oct. 9, 2016

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Did Tom Brady give Donald Trump permission to reveal whom he voted for?

The Patriots quarterback was asked Wednesday if he gave Trump the go ahead to announce during a rally in New Hampshire Monday that he had voted for him in the presidential election.

“Why did you give Donald Trump permission to talk about your political preferences at his rally in New Hampshire Monday night?” the reporter asked.

“Why did I give him permission? So you’re assuming I gave people permission?” Brady replied. “I’m just going to talk about football this week.”

• Trump Tells Rally Brady Voted for Him

But there wasn’t much talk about Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks as Brady continued to take questions. Brady, who has praised Trump since he was asked about a “Make America Great Again” hat in his locker last year, said he doesn't think the issue will divide the locker room.

“We’re all on the same team, we’re all from different places, different backgrounds, different ages, races, ethnicities, beliefs, but when you come in a locker room, you’re all trying to, I guess put whatever feelings you have about anything aside to try to accomplish a common goal. I think we talk a lot about distractions because that takes away your focus from what those goals may be, but we have a very close locker room and it needs to be that way." he said.

Later in the day Devin McCourty shared similar sentiments with the media.

"I think the one thing that’s certain is everybody has their own opinions in our locker room, but politics aren’t going to divide our locker room. We’re here to do a job but I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion and who you support. That’s what politics are I think in any job or any workplace," the Patriots safety said.

Brady said he was sleeping when the race was called, but he was happy for Trump, as he is for everyone and everything.

"I think I’m always happy when people experience success. I was happy when President [Bill] Clinton won, I was happy when Barack Obama won twice, when President [George W.] Bush – I think it’s all competition. I was happy when the Cubs won even though I was not a Cubs fan. I was happy when the Cavaliers won. I think just as an athlete, you realize that a lot of people put a lot of things into competition. When people go at it, you have respect for whatever outcomes there are," he said.

Don't expect more Trump talk from Brady. He says his wife told him he's not allowed to talk about politics anymore, a decision he calls "probably a good decision" for his family.

Brady's full press conference can be seen here:

Read more:

• Tom Brady Endorses Donald Trump: One Year Ago Today
• Tom Brady Opens Up on Donald Trump Relationship
• Tom Brady Pressed on Donald Trump's Locker Room Talk

Image Credit: WHDH/7-News