It seems like everyone has something critical to say about Tom Brady these days. At least another prominent member of the Boston sports scene has his back.
Brady had one of the worst outings of his career Monday night in the New England Patriots’ 41-14 blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, leading many to question whether the end could be near for the 37-year-old quarterback.
Zdeno Chara turns 37 in March, so the Boston Bruins defenseman knows a thing or two about hearing those criticisms. On Tuesday, the 6-foot-9 captain gave Brady his vote of confidence.
“He’s going to be fine,” Chara told ESPN Boston’s Joe McDonald. “He’s talented and such a gifted athlete. He works really hard, and I know that. I know he’s getting better results (from his workouts) than he was when he was younger.”
Chara has had to work extremely hard himself to stay in playing shape. The big man is entering his 17th NHL season — Brady is in his 15th season — and has consistently led the B’s in ice time year in and year out.
Brady’s “declining” performance has been the subject of intense debate — Rodney Harrison said the quarterback looks “scared to death” in the pocket, while Donovan McNabb claimed that this could be Brady’s last year in New England — but Chara has full confidence that the nine-time Pro Bowler will silence the haters.
“I have no doubt he’s going to be really effective still, and he’s going to prove all those people wrong that are doubting him — I know he will,” Chara told McDonald. “You can just tell. I’m a big fan of his, and I know he’s going to be fine.”
