Tom Brady made a stunning revelation just a few days before the start of the 2021 NFL season, telling Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times in an interview that he contracted the deadly coronavirus last February. Brady tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after Tampa Bay's iconic Super Bowl boat parade.

Brady grabbed the headlines during that championship celebration, with the seven-time Super Bowl winner throwing the Lombardi trophy over water to tight end Cameron Brate and then making a wobbly exit off the team's party boat.

Brady made fun of his drunken state afterward, tweeting, "Noting to see her...just litTle avoCado tequila." Brady had plenty of reasons to celebrate as he successfully navigated his first season out of New England by leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl title.

Brady's parents also tested positive for COVID-19 last year

Brady personally knows the threat of COVID-19 as both of his parents contracted the illness last year. Tom Brady Sr. said in an interview with ESPN Radio's #Greeny earlier this year that he was hospitalized for three weeks at one stage due to COVID-19.

Brady Sr. said that he and his wife, Galynn, were "sick as a dog" and that they missed the Bucs' first two games; as a result, the first time in their son's illustrious football career that they have missed any of his games.

Given the Bradys' ordeals with COVID-19, it wasn't a complete surprise to learn that the Bucs quarterback had himself vaccinated against the deadly virus. Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians confirmed the news last week when he announced that the Buccaneers' entire organization is 100 percent vaccinated against COVID-19.

Brady worried about COVID-19 this coming season

The Bucs became just the second NFL team to reach that mark, a major advantage, given the league's strict health and safety protocols surrounding unvaccinated players. Even with the Bucs' supposed edge regarding their vaccination status, Brady is worried that the coronavirus will still pose a major threat to the Bucs' title defense and the other NFL teams.

Brady thinks COVID-19 will play more of a factor this year than last year because of the travel, and the stadium they will play in will now be packed with people and fans. Even though they are getting tested like last year, Brady believes "guys are going to be out at different points" and that they have just got to deal with it.

We will soon find out whether COVID-19 will indeed play a major factor in Tampa Bay's title defense this coming season. The Bucs' 2021 season will start this coming Thursday at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

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