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Even three years removed from the game, Tom Brady looks like he could step back and throw the pigskin for an NFL team.
Brady highlighted the first-ever Fanatics Flag Football Classic on Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, and not just because he was back on a football field for the first time since he officially retired.
The 48-year-old man was throwing darts.
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Tom Brady of Founders FFC warms up before the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOS)
Brady, surrounded by current and former NFL players, as well as the U.S. national flag football team, accounted for 85 total yards on the small field with two touchdowns in his two games played at the inaugural event.
Brady’s co-captain, Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts, started for their Founders FFC team, throwing for 224 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Brady came in after Hurts, and it felt like old times as he threw all over the field.
BRADY, GRONK, HURTS, BURROW: FANATICS FLAG FOOTBALL CLASSIC DRAFT RESULTS
Of course, Brady couldn’t go there without finding his trusty tight end, Rob Gronkowski, who got a two-point conversion after a touchdown. Gronkowski, however, exited early in the competition due to a hamstring injury.
While Brady performed well, his team was blown away by Team USA Football, 43-16, in this game. Brady and the FFC founders would have a chance for revenge in the championship game, but Team USA, who knew exactly how to take advantage of flag football’s rules, beat them again 24-14.
Brady’s competitive edge was at its peak, declaring “my heart really hurts right now” between his losses.
Tom Brady of the FFC Founders avoids a sack from Shawn Theard Jr. #19 of the United States Men’s Flag Football Team during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOS)
But he said before the contests that he felt “good” about getting on the field and running some plays before Saturday’s big games.
“Luckily, as an athlete, your body is your asset over a period of time and you learn to take care of it,” Brady said at practice this week. “Even in retirement, I felt like I still wanted to do the same things after football when I was playing. I still want to be active. I want to be outside. I want to continue to live a healthy, active lifestyle.”
For those who think Brady could take over at quarterback for an NFL team, he has shown no desire to return to retirement for the second time in his future Hall of Fame career.
Brady is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, which played a significant role in preventing a comeback. He is involved in rebuilding the team. At the same time, he enjoyed being part of the FOX Sports broadcast team during the NFL season alongside Kevin Burkhardt.
Tom Brady of Founders FFC warms up before the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOS)
But who knows when 2028 arrives, what Brady might do, when flag football joins the roster for the Summer Games in Los Angeles? The American team, however, proved on Saturday how different this style of football can be, even for current NFL stars.
