Stephen A. Smith Defends Tom Brady Amid Bill Belichick Hall of Fame Snub

Stephen A. Smith backed Tom Brady for taking a neutral stance ahead of Super Bowl LX, even though his former team, the Patriots are part of it.

Stephen A. Smith Defends Tom Brady Amid Bill Belichick Hall of Fame Snub

Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Stephen A. Smith inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

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Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady went viral after he chose the political answer when asked to pick the winner of Super Bowl LX. Brady declared that he has “no dog” in the fight, even though he holds nearly every QB record for the franchise where he spent more than two decades of his life.

With one statement, Brady ticked off a lot of people. Former players and fans demanded an explanation from the 48-year-old. However, a couple of days before the big showdown at Levi’s Stadium, Brady received support from an unlikely source.

Stephen A. Smith, who has been critical of the Patriots in the past, spoke in favor of Brady for not picking his former club to win Super Bowl LX.

It would’ve been nice if he [Tom Brady] sat up there—for the Patriots faithful, the organization, Mr. [Robert] Kraft… it would’ve been nice for him to say, ‘I’m rooting for the [New England] Patriots. But I don’t give a damn that he didn’t! People are walking around acting like they should be losing sleep.

Stephen A. Smith said on a recent segment of First Take on ESPN

Smith pointed out that Brady’s role as a minority owner of the Raiders, along with his position as a game-day analyst for FOX Sports, may have prompted him to offer a diplomatic response. The veteran voice of reason argued that fans are making a big deal out of Brady’s words.

People walking around acting like it’s so offensive and they’re losing sleep? Calm the hell down.

Smith quipped

What ticked off more and more people was Brady’s silence, which he finally broke on Friday. On Instagram, he posted a photo with Robert Kraft and attached a message for the entire fanbase to see.

Legendary Cowboys RB shares thoughts on Tom Brady potentially being snubbed from a First Ballot Hall of Fame induction

After voters kept Bill Belichick off the first-ballot Hall of Fame, citing his role in the infamous “Spygate” scandal, attention quickly turned to Brady’s chances of earning the honor as well. Among the notable members of the football community, former WR and HOF Terrell Owens believes Brady should also be snubbed because he was on the Patriots roster during the scandal.

Stephen A. Smith Defends Tom Brady Amid Bill Belichick Hall of Fame Snub
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick (Image via IMAGO)

The next big name to speak on the topic is legendary Cowboys HOF running back Emmitt Smith.

I don’t even know why I’m in it [Hall of Fame in Canton]. If [Brady is] not a first-round ballot, I don’t even know why I’m in it. Because at the end of the day… you’re talking about people that have done things that the game has never seen before. No one on the planet has more rings than Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

Emmitt Smith said on First Take (H/T: Yardbarker)

Who are the players in the 2026 class of Pro Football Hall of Famers?

On Thursday, six former players were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Larry Fitzgerald (played 16 years for the Arizona Cardinals), Luke Kuechly (played 8 seasons with the Carolina Panthers), Roger Craig (won three Super Bowls with the 49ers), Adam Vinatieri (won 4 Super Bowls while playing for the Patriots and the Colts), and Drew Brees (won a Super Bowl with the Saints).

Tom Brady will be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame in the 2028 season.

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