Miffed Brady abruptly quits news conference
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady abruptly ended his press conference Saturday morning when a question came up about a possible connection between the suspension of receiver Julian Edelman and the training methods of Alex Guerrero, Brady’s body coach.
“Tom, when Julian tested positive, a lot of people connected it to Alex Guerrero,” a reporter said. “What’s your reaction to that? Do you think it’s fair?”
“I have no comment,” Brady said after fielding the question. “It is just ridiculous. I’m out. See you guys.” He then walked off, shaking his head. The NFL announced early in July it was suspending Edelman four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Edelman, who has trained with Guerrero for several seasons, had his appeal of the suspension denied. Once news about the suspension circulated, speculation brewed about whether Guerrero had a role in triggering the failed test result.
“What’s in the past is in the past,” Edelman told reporters later on Saturday when asked about his relationship with Guerrero. “I love Alex. And ultimately, I’m worried about just going out here and playing football. I’m not here to talk about or make a headline on something. I’m here just playing football.”
Brady and Guerrero have a close relationship. Entering his 19th season in the NFL, Brady has on many occasions credited his longevity, health, and conditioning “despite his turning 41 years old next week “to the regimen Guerrero has installed.
Brady and Guerrero are partners in a training facility, TB12 Sports Therapy Center, near Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play their games.
Edelman is coming off of a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in last year’s preseason, an injury that forced him to miss the entire season.
Guerrero defended himself and his relationship with Edelman in a statement in June, shortly after news leaked about a future suspension.
“I’ve known Julian since his rookie year and he is a phenomenal athlete who takes his training seriously – it’s disappointing to hear today’s news,” Guerrero said in the statement.