Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady Puts a Smile on for Roger Goodell, Tears Up Over His Mom
“She hadn’t been to a game all year, so this was a hell of a game for her to be at,” the New England Patriots QB says of Galynn Brady, who is battling cancer
Debbie Emery | February 6, 2017 @ 9:13 AM
Last Updated: February 6, 2017 @ 9:29 AM
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It’s been a roller coaster 24 hours for Tom Brady — from being down 25 points in the Super Bowl, to coming back from the worst deficit in history to become the first QB to win in overtime, and to collect his fifth championship ring.
Throughout all of it, he has also been dealing with the personal strain of his mom, Galynn, undergoing radiation and chemotherapy to treat an undisclosed type cancer for the past 18 months.
And there was that little matter of Deflategate and starting the season suspended for four games, too.
All of it came to a head on Monday in a very early morning press conference where the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had to do what many sports pundits predicted was his worst nightmare — hand the Super Bowl MVP trophy to Brady.
“The two gentlemen we have here have set new bars across the league. Five Super Bowl championships, and four MVPs for Tom Brady, cementing his legacy as not just a great Super Bowl performer, but maybe one of the greatest player of all time,” Goodell said introducing Brady and coach Bill Belichick, while stood in front of the Vince Lombardi trophy that they’d won for the second time in two years.
“It’s a great honor for us, and me personally, to have both of these guys here this morning.”
Tom Brady and Roger Goodell (Photo Credit: Debbie Emery/TheWrap)
Despite the bitter stand off in court that marred the offseason last summer, Brady remained poised when he shook Goodell’s hand and accepted his award.
“It’s an honor to be here and have the commissioner present us with the trophy,” he said. “It certainly means a lot and my kids will be happy to see that trophy. They always ask ‘where’s that trophy?’ so now I can take it home for them.”
After a rare family photo on the field flooded social media following the Pats’ 34-28 comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons, Brady was asked by a reporter why it meant so much to have his mom there for it.
“It was great, she’s been through a lot, [it’s] way harder than what I’ve been through and way harder than what the team went through last night,” he said. “My dad has been there every step of the way. They set such a great example for me.
“All families go thought challenging times — she has a lot of support and a lot of love, I was just happy last night to be able to celebrate with her,” Brady continued, tears welling up in his eyes as they did the week before on Media Night when asked about her.
“She hadn’t been to a game all year, so this was a hell of a game for her to be at.
“My sisters, all my kids, my little girl was there. It will be nice to go home to them, they haven’t had their dad around a lot lately. I am going to be a dad for a little bit,” he added.
Dante Deiana with Brady (Photo credit: Cheryl Scott)
As for the historical night he had just experienced at NRG Stadium, followed by a raucous after party and no doubt very little sleep, Brady said: “It is a lot of emotion — football is always an emotional sport — highs and the lows.
“We weren’t feeling great about how we played, then we started executing a lot better. The lows of not playing great, then playing great — then the end,” he said, still collecting his thoughts about executing what most fans feared at halftime was impossible.
“To be able to celebrate with our teammates and my family, it’s a night you’ll never forget.”
However, Brady did still seem pretty miffed about the jersey he wore during the game that mysteriously disappeared from the locker room.
“I put it in my bag, I came out and it wasn’t there any more. That is a nice piece of memorabilia, it’ll probably end up on eBay,” he said when asked about it.
“Those are pretty special ones to keep, but what can you do?” he added later. “I’ll take the ring and that’s good enough for me.”
While Tom was diplomatic with Goodell, Belichick later snuck in a few digs at any Brady-doubters when asked about if TB12 had any extra motivation this season.
“With all due respect, I think it’s inappropriate to suggest that in Tom’s career he’s been anything other than a great teammate, a great worker,” Belichick said. “He’s given us every single ounce of effort, blood, sweat and tears he has in him. To insinuate that this year was somehow different, that this year he competed harder or competed to a higher degree than he has in the past, is insulting to the tremendous effort and leadership and competitiveness for the 17 years I’ve coached him.
As for the team that brought him his seventh Super Bowl championship — making him the winningest coach in NFL history having now surpassed Chuck Noll — he had high praise all around.
“This team earned it all the way from OTAs [organized team activities] through training camp, we were presented with a lot of challenges,” he said.
“It was an honor to coach these guys. What ever you saw in the fourth quarter and overtime last night is what I’ve seen all year.”
Super Bowl LI: Taylor Swift, Chris Evans, Chrissy Teigen Invade Hottest Parties in Houston (Photos)
Fergie was the star of the show at ESPN the Party on Friday night, giving the VIP guests and sports stars an energetic hour-long show in the construction zone-themed space in Houston's Arts District.
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Football, baseball, college football analyst -- is there anything Tim Tebow can't do? He looks pretty damn good on the red carpet at the ESPN the Party on Friday night, as well.
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"Sunday NFL Countdown" legend Chris Berman (pictured with Fergie) is saying goodbye to the show after decades of being the voice of football Sundays, but got a VIP send off at ESPN the Party.
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Tedy Bruschi knows a thing or two about winning Super Bowls with the Patriots and was happy to share his knowledge with TheWrap at ESPN the Party on Friday.
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"SportsCenter" host Cari Champion tried to get a dance party going on the red carpet at ESPN the Party, and dished to TheWrap about how she'd been rapping on set this week. Look out for a career as "MC Squared" in her future!
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Never one for subtly on or off the field, former NFL player Terrell Owens showed off his unique style at ESPN the Party Friday night.
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Le'Veon Bell attended New Era Cap's official Super Bowl party "Planet New Era" at Vrsi in Houston on Friday and tried on some new hats.
Swift amped up the energy to 11 with the crowd acting like it was overtime in a Super Bowl (which has never happened, FYI), as she headlined 2017 DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday at Club Nomadic Friday.
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Taylor Swift delighted 9,000 fans at the 2017 DirecTV NOW Super Saturday at Club Nomadic in what she said is her "only show of 2017, as far as [she] know[s]."
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Were Jeremy Renner and Chris "Captain America" Evans plotting their next action movie at the DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday -- or just enjoying Taylor Swift?
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Model and "Lip Sync Battle" co-host Chrissy Teigen was among the hundreds of A-listers at DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday, and we're sure she had some witty tweets about it afterwards.
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Ruby Rose DJed to warm up the crowd, then got to be a fan herself while Taylor was performing.
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Maxim is know for its out-of-this world party experience and this year was no different, with Travis Scott and DJ Khaled entertaining the beautiful crowd at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. Host Karma International pulled out all the stops and, this time, they partnered with personal injury attorney and philanthropist Thomas J. Henry to present the bash.
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Cole Whittle, Joe Jonas, JinJoo Lee and Jack Lawless of DNCE arrived together to the Maxim party, where specialty cocktails were provided by Avion Tequila and Absolut Elyx.
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After performing at ESPN the night before, Fergie played hostess at the Maxim party with Maya Henry.
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Rapper Just Brittany shimmered at the Maxim Super Bowl Party with Travis Scott, DNCE and DJ Khaled.
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Maxim host and power attorney Thomas J. Henry with rapper Ludacris at the Maxim Sugar Land extravaganza.
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Dak Prescott took on (and lost to) Eric Berry in a furious game of Madden at the EA party on Thursday night.
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Snoop Dogg started the week off on a high note at the EA Madden Bowl at Club Nomadic Thursday.
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The Chainsmokers were a pretty cool warm-up act for Snoop at the EA Madden Bowl at Club Nomadic Thursday.
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Super Bowl halftime show veteran Bruno Mars added a lot of pep to the LIFEWTR Art After Dark at Club Nomadic on Friday.
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Fox Sports and "Dancing With the Stars" host Erin Andrews with her NHL star fiancé Jarret Stoll at the LIFEWTR Art After Dark on Thursday night.
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West Hollywood's chicest club met Houston's finest on Saturday as Bootsy at Vrsi. John Terzian, Brian Toll and The h.wood Group (The Nice Guy, Delilah, Peppermint). "Mad Men's" Jon Hamm proved to be just as dashing as Don Draper when he popped by.
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Is Tony Romo giving someone the Heisman? The Dallas Cowboys QB was among the guests at the 4th Annual Bootsy Bellows Big Game Pop Up, taking over the Vrsi nightclub space in Houston Saturday night, where the attendees enjoyed sips by Red Bull, Absolut ELYX, Avion Tequila, and Martell Cognac, and activations by Zappos! Porta-Party.
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WWE legend Ric Flair was a huge hit among football and wrestling fans alike at the Bootsy Bellows Big Game Pop Up. In addition to live entertainment by burlesque dancers, puppets, impromptu acts, and sounds by celebrity deejays, DJ Quiz, Devin Lucien, and Fred Matters.
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Ashanti and Ja Rule headlined The Barstool Party 2017 on Friday, with DJ Dante the Don -- Rob Gronkowski's favorite spin master -- manning the decks.
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Maria Menounos cuddled up to Jiffy the Pom at SiriusXM at Super Bowl LI Radio Row.
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Rosenhaus Sports Representation & Thuzio Executive Club Party was an industry affair with super agent Drew Rosenhaus (above with co-host Tiki Barber and CEO of Thuzio Executive Club, Jared Augustine) at Clutch welcoming his top clients from all sports. Even the DJ -- Marcellus Wiley -- is a former football player turned ESPN "SportsNation" host.
DJ Dat Dude Marcellus Wiley proved he's multi-talented at the Rosenhaus Sports Representation & Thuzio Executive Club Party.
Playboy + TAO took over Spire Nightclub in Houston on Saturday night, with plenty of Playmates and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's Effen vodka in free flow. Rapper Flo Rida proved, as always, that it was "My House," then dropped hit tracks "Zillionaire" and "Apple Bottom Jeans."
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Rich Eisen, Mike Tirico, David Diehl, Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic got the crowd excited for the Super Bowl from the stage of the the Wheels Up Super Saturday Tailgate in the Washington Avenue Arts District of Houston. Guests got to enjoy a crawfish broil, BBQ stand, hip Wheels Up clothes, and a rocking country show from Jake Owen.
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Houston Texans defensive end and local hero J.J. Watt was one of the hosts at the Wheels Up Saturday Tailgate, where he was a good sport signing footballs for kids and throwing them into the crowd.
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Jake Owen closed out the 4th annual Wheels Up Super Saturday Tailgate to a packed house on Feb. 4, 2017 in Houston, in front of a crowd of famous fans of the membership-based private aviation company.
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Shaquille O'Neal dwarfed his fellow guests at the Fanatic’s owner Michael Rubin’s Super Bowl Party at Bayou Place in Houston on Saturday.
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Flo Rida -- the busiest man Super Bowl weekend not on the Patriots or Falcons payroll -- performed at the Fanatic’s owner Michael Rubin’s Super Bowl Party at Bayou Place in Houston on Saturday.
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Adrian Grenier, Houston Texans Linebacker Whitney Mercilus, CY Young Winning Pitcher, Roger Clemens, NFL Game Analyst, David Diehl, Dolphins QB TJ Yates, former Oakland Raider, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Denver Broncos’ Owen Daniels, Houston Texans player, Quintin Demps and Houston Texan and Washington Redskin David Anderson were among those putting on their poker faces at the Bulls & Blackjack party to benefit the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, the Wade Smith Foundation and the WithMerci Foundation.
Hung Truong Photography, Earch Photo, Quy Tran and Rick Leal Photography
Adrian Peterson and Ray Lewis caught up to talk football Thursday night at the Bulls & Blackjack party held at Dr. Quang and Staci Henderson’s manor in Houston's River Oaks area.
Hung Truong Photography, Earch Photo, Quy Tran and Rick Leal Photography
Adrian Grenier played for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation at the Bulls & Blackjack party Thursday, but he -- and everyone else -- was beaten out by pro player Maria Ho, who was the last celebrity standing in the Texas Hold-em Tournament.
Hung Truong Photography, Earch Photo, Quy Tran and Rick Leal Photography
2 Chainz performed classics including "I'm Different," "No Lie," "Watch Out," and "Birthday Son" at New Era Cap's official Super Bowl party "Planet New Era" at Vrsi in Houston on Friday.
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Migos performed a packed set including "Bad & Boujee," "T-Shirt," "Casting Call" and "Emmit Smith" as the hall of famer himself was in attendance at New Era Cap's official Super Bowl party "Planet New Era."
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The day before his team made history (again) Patriots owner Robert Kraft hung out with Meek Mill at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party, held in the heart of Houston’s Theater District, The Ballroom at Bayou Place.
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Proving once again to be the most fun team owner in the NFL, Kraft took to the stage with Flo Rida at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party.
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Two New York sporting greats, Alex Rodriguez and Odell Beckham Jr., teamed up at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party the day before SB LI.
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"Charmed" star, football fan and sportswear designer Alyssa Milano wore her Touch collection (and some cool cornrows) at the the 26th Anniversary of Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose on Saturday.
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Who says the Super Bowl can't be about fine food? Celebrity Chef hosts Alex Guarnaschelli and Andrew Zimmern joined celebrities plus current, past and Hall of Fame NFL players to commemorate the 26th Anniversary of Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose on Saturday.
Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Taste Of The NFL
Rob, Glenn and Gordie Gronkowski, DJ Dante the Don, and DJ Shaun Frank sprayed the crowd with 45 bottles of champagne at the Patriots Post-Parade celebration. Now that's how you end Super Bowl week!
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The parties moved east to New England after the Patriots won the Super Bowl, as Rick Ross, DJ Dante the Don and Vinny Vibe headlined the Post-Parade Celebration at the Shrine at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut on Tuesday night.
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Patriots players Rob and Glenn Gronkowski could finally kick back and party with DJ Dante the Don and Vinny Vibe at the Post-Parade Celebration.
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Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki posed with Kenny Hamilton and Fara Leff at The h.wood Group's Bootsy Bellows Big Game Pop Up, hosted by G-Eazy.
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DirecTV, ESPN, Maxim, Playboy, Bootsy Bellows, Rolling Stone, EA and Wheels Up are just a few of the A-list hosts dominating the party scene in Houston
Fergie was the star of the show at ESPN the Party on Friday night, giving the VIP guests and sports stars an energetic hour-long show in the construction zone-themed space in Houston's Arts District.