In an odd controversy that dates back to the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Eagles in 2018, Tom Brady has seemingly avoided postgame handshakes with Nick Foles after defeats.
Brady was quick to head to the locker room after the Buccaneers’ Week 5 loss to the Bears without greeting Foles at midfield. At first, coronavirus precautions could have been a possible explanation. But just the next week, Brady exchanged pleasantries at midfield with Aaron Rodgers after the Bucs’ Week 6 win.
So, why did Brady seemingly snub Foles but make a point to shake hands with Rodgers the next game? Brady was finally asked about that, and he seemed to toss the snub up as him forgetting to seek out Foles.
He said via tampabay.com:
“I didn’t even think about that. I think Nick Foles is a hell of a player and a Super Bowl champ. I don’t know one reason or another why I wouldn’t do that. Sometimes I run off the field, sometimes I haven’t. Sometimes if I have a personal relationship, like I have with Drew and Justin and Aaron over the years…I don’t know, I don’t think it’s anything particular other than I have great admiration for Nick and I think he’s a hell of a player. They’re off to a great start.”
Of course, Brady has dealt with accusations of being a sore loser in the past, particularly when it comes to opposing quarterbacks. In addition to missing Foles, Brady never shook hands with Eli Manning following both Patriots Super Bowl losses to the Giants.
Brady did greet Foles after a preseason win in 2018, but other than that, there isn’t much of a postgame history between the two. Even the Bears quarterback would like to hash this out with Brady one day.
Nick Foles on the handshake snubbing from Tom Brady: “You know it’s happened a few times. Someday Tom and I will have a great conversation about it and probably laugh about it. It is what it is. I think he’s a tremendous player.”
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) October 22, 2020
But let’s be honest: It really does seem odd that this keeps happening to Foles.
