I've known Galynn Brady for a
long time, and she's an unfailingly sweet, understated and understandably revered woman. And while I'm fairly sure that she and the other members of the Brady family haven't been very happy with me over the past two years, given some of the strong opinions I've voiced about the deflated-ball scandal that led to the four-game suspension served by the quarterback to start the 2016 season, some things are bigger than football, and like many others, I've been sincerely sending heartfelt thoughts Mrs. Brady's way.
And so, on the most Super Sunday of all, it felt necessary to make that clear. As one of the most amazing athletes I've ever had the pleasure of watching emerged fully dressed from his postgame shower about 90 minutes after completing the ultimate mic drop, I looked him in the eye and congratulated him, and he looked me in the eye and said thanks, and we had a brief conversation that reminded me why I've loved covering him for the past 16 years.
I told Brady that what he'd just done was one of the most unbelievable things I'd ever witnessed, and that I was happy for him -- and that I understand that some things are more important than football and am pulling for him and his loved ones as they confront the challenges that truly matter.
He could have rightfully blown me off, or given me a cursory nod, but instead, he thanked me and gave me a heartfelt handshake that let me know he really meant it. He then left me with three words that evoked memories of less-strained times and made me grateful that he'd gotten this shot at redemption -- and converted in a way that was truly magical.
"Take care, babe," Brady said, smiling like an exhausted warrior celebrating a bittersweet and taxing triumph.
I've covered so many of his great moments, including five
Super Bowl victories. Both of us understood that this one had been the greatest of all -- end of story.
