Tom Brady is known for his meticulous preparation, laser focus, and commitment to excellence. These, among many others, are just some of the most important qualities that helped him earn seven Super Bowl rings and cement his legacy as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
But according to Rob Gronkowski, even Brady’s unwavering determination was tested when Chad Ochocinco joined the New England Patriots in 2011.
What Ticked Tom Brady Off About Chad Ochocinco?
During a recent episode of the “Dudes On Dudes” podcast, Gronkowski talked about the unique dynamic between Brady and the former Bengals star, revealing a side of the quarterback not often seen. “Tom absolutely hated him at first,” Gronk said with a laugh. “Well, didn’t hate him, but hated that he was on Twitter because he was Mr. Twitter. He got traded to the Patriots, and he was always on Twitter still.”
Tom Brady HATED this about Ochocinco 😱 pic.twitter.com/6uqmHu4JxZ
— DudesOnDudes (@DudesOnDudesPod) January 20, 2025
For Brady, who thrived in the disciplined, no-nonsense culture fostered by head coach Bill Belichick, Ochocinco’s online antics were a stark contrast to the Patriots’ ethos.
Gronkowski explained that both Brady and Belichick weren’t thrilled about the wide receiver’s social media presence. “Tom and Coach Belichick were always just grilling him. It never really affected him back then — they just acted like it did.”
The irony, as Gronk pointed out, is that Brady has since become a major figure on social media himself.
Since retiring (for the second time) in 2023, the former quarterback has embraced platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and even YouTube to promote his TB12 brand, showcase his personal life, and connect with fans in ways that were unthinkable during his playing days.
How Social Media Has Changed Sports Forever
Ochocinco, whose Twitter fame may have started the trend of athletes embracing the digital age, was way ahead of his time. According to Julian Edelman, Ochocinco was the first NFL player to reach one million followers on Twitter. Though unconventional for the league at the time, his approach foreshadowed the modern-day intersection of sports and social media.
Players today are no longer just athletes, they’re brands, and social media offers a powerful tool for building personal and financial opportunities beyond the field. But it comes with challenges. Balancing rigorous training with maintaining a growing online presence can be tricky. For some, the distractions can seep into their performance, affecting their ability to maximize their potential on the field.
As Gronkowski hinted, Ochocinco’s antics didn’t impact his performance directly, but while social media success can lead to lucrative post-career opportunities, players must remember that their primary legacy is built on their achievements on the field.
Once a career ends, there’s no going back to rewrite history. Stats, wins, and accolades are set in stone, serving as the true measure of an athlete’s greatness. For players in today’s NFL, the challenge lies in finding the right balance between harnessing the power of social media while also not letting it overshadow the pursuit of football excellence.
