Bill Belichick Recalls Spending $5000 to Avoid Ruining Tom Brady and Antonio Brown’s Relationship

Tom Brady and Antonio Brown had a brief stint together with the New England Patriots before the team released the controversial wide receiver.

Bill Belichick Recalls Spending $5000 to Avoid Ruining Tom Brady and Antonio Brown’s Relationship

Tom Brady, Antonio Brown; Bill Belichick (Images via People.com/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

In 2019, then-New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made an unusual yet deliberate decision. He authorized spending $5,000 to replace spoiled milk ordered by wide receiver Antonio Brown. The milk was intended for quarterback Tom Brady, well-known for his strict nutritional discipline and health-conscious lifestyle.

Around the time of the incident, Brown had recently joined the Patriots. Furthermore, he was staying at Brady’s house as part of an effort to integrate into the team. During that brief time, Brown ordered a premium milk product specifically for Brady.

However, the delivery went wrong, and the package ended up sitting too long in the team’s mailroom. By the time it was retrieved, the milk had spoiled.

Belichick shared the story on Ryan Clark‘s The Pivot podcast while promoting his new book The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football. He explained the reasoning behind his decision, saying he did not want a small logistical mishap to damage the developing relationship between the two star players.

Tom [Brady]’s very nutrition oriented… And Tom had Antonio come stay at his house. Wanted to embrace him, bring him onto the team, and so forth. Antonio ordered milk, this special milk, for Brady. It cost $5,000. $5,000! And to make a long story short, it kinda got mixed up and it ended up in the mail room for too long and by the time it—the milk went bad.

Bill Belichick recounted the incident

Brown’s stay in New England was short-lived, lasting only 11 days. The highly controversial bad boy was picked by the Patriots despite facing misconduct allegations. Later, after the Patriots found that the player had sent a message to his intimidators, all hell broke loose. The action led to the Patriots cutting him off.

He later reunited with Brady in Tampa Bay. The two went on to win a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in the 2020 season. Despite the win and the highs of his life, Antonio Brown staged one of the most iconic walkouts in the history of the league, walking out of the stadium and leaving the team.

Tom Brady’s strict TB12 diet made nutrition a priority, even down to specialty milk choices

Brady’s TB12 diet is well-known for its rigorous focus on nutrition and performance. The plan emphasizes anti-inflammatory foods and nutrient-dense meals, with an estimated ratio of 80 percent plant-based food and 20 percent lean, organic animal protein.

Tom Brady
Tom Brady (Image via Bleacher Report)

Brady’s meals often include high-protein plant foods, nuts, seeds, protein bars, and smoothies made with carefully selected ingredients. Common snacks in his plan include dehydrated fruit, raw vegetables paired with hummus or guacamole, and bone broth. Even the milk used in his post-workout shakes is curated with precision.

In The Art of Winning, Bill Belichick described the instance in 2019 when Brady received a specialty milk that had been ordered by wide receiver Antonio Brown.

According to Belichick, this milk was not available in standard grocery stores and had been flown in from the Midwest. Although the exact type of milk remains unspecified, Brady has previously mentioned using almond milk in his dietary regimen.

The milk, valued at over $500 per bottle, spoiled after a delivery issue. The Patriots organization and Belichick had to spend $5,000 to replace it to maintain harmony between Brady and Brown.

Though his diet is famously strict, Brady has admitted to occasional indulgences. In a 2020 interview with Men’s Health, he revealed that if he craved bacon, he would allow himself to enjoy it.

Also Read: Colin Cowherd Feels Jordon Hudson Is Bill Belichick’s “Social Stock Broker”