Jersey exchanges have become more common in the NFL recently, opposing players coming together postgame to chat and swap jerseys as a sign of respect.
Bengals running back Joe Mixon got to meet Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in one of those postgame moments after New England’s 34-13 win Sunday in Cincinnati. But he didn’t get a Brady jersey because, as he tweeted Sunday night, he was too starstruck to ask:
NFL stars: They’re just like us!
But Christmas is coming early for the third-year running back because, on Monday morning, Brady tweeted back:
The future Hall of Famer shared his perspective during his weekly appearance on Boston radio station WEEI, saying he remembers meeting his idols as a young NFL QB.
“There was a time when I was a young player and I looked up to so many players,” Brady said. “Now that I’m on the other end, I understand kind of how it goes.
“I feel like that still with guys. I’ve been around Joe Montana and Steve Young and Jerry Rice and Brett Favre — some of the greats and I feel the same way about some of them. It’s just part of our nature.”
