Tom Brady only wants to talk about football before the Super Bowl - Los Angeles Times
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Tom Brady only wants to talk about football before the Super Bowl

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady answers questions during opening night for Super Bowl LI at Minute Maid Park on Jan. 30.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady answers questions during opening night for Super Bowl LI at Minute Maid Park on Jan. 30.

(Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sat through a solid hour of questions from reporters lined up in a semi-circle that was at times seven to eight deep.

Several questions involved President Trump, who Brady has described as a friend.

“I’m not talking politics at all because I just want to focus on the positive aspects of this game and my teammates and the reasons why we’re here,” Brady said. “It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to this point and I just want to focus on the positive nature of two great teams competing at the highest level.”

He also deflected questions about Commissioner Roger Goodell, who suspended him for four games because of his role in an alleged deflated-ball scheme. “I just wish everybody the best,” he said.

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Brady laughed through the usual media-night questions, ranging from how he stayed so good-looking to how he would describe his hot-tub routine.

But he got emotional, his eyes welling, when he described his father, Tom Brady Sr., as his hero.

Brady also appeared overcome when asked about his father’s comments last week ripping Goodell for his handling of the Deflategate scandal.

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“My dad represents his feelings,” Brady said. “You know because he’s a dad, and, you know, I’m a dad.”

Brady then paused for about 20 seconds before adding, “So hopefully he’s here and cheering us on.”

Political football

Atlanta Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu is a Muslim. He declined to give his opinion when asked what his reaction was to Trump’s executive order on immigration to block travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations.

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“It’s not the time for me to talk about it right now,” Sanu said. “I’m just focused on the game.”

Asked if he had feelings about it that he did not want to discuss, he said, “I have some feelings that I’m not really going to talk about it right now. Just stay focused on the game.”

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