Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady has found himself on the defensive line of fan criticism after appearing in a new, light-hearted commercial for Pizza Hut. The move has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, given Brady's years of vocal promotion of his notoriously strict and health-focused 'TB12' diet.
From Avocado Ice Cream to Pepperoni Pizza
In the new national campaign titled 'Pizza Before the Hut', Brady is seen humorously delivering pizzas, knocking on doors and calling out 'pizza' before the 'hut' in a nod to his old on-field cadence. The ad even features a playful moment where an elderly lady 'sacks' the seven-time Super Bowl champion.
However, the jovial tone of the advert was lost on many of his followers. For years, Brady, whose net worth is estimated at a staggering $350 million, has preached the virtues of his TB12 method. This regimen famously consists of 80 percent plant-based foods and strictly avoids fast food, dairy, sugar, and even certain vegetables like tomatoes and mushrooms due to their alleged inflammatory properties.
A Social Media Sack
The reaction on social media platform X was swift and severe. One user pointedly remarked: '10 years ago Tom Brady only ate spirulina and avocado ice cream and called soda “poison for kids.” Now he’s doing commercials for Pizza Hut'.
Others labelled the career pivot as 'a pretty sharp turn' from his dietary gospel, with several fans accusing the athlete of 'selling his soul'. One critic succinctly concluded: 'Money talks'.
Not all commentary was negative, however. Some supporters leapt to Brady's defence, arguing his retirement from professional football entitled him to change his mind. 'A GOAT is obviously entitled to change his mind,' one argued, while another noted: 'Well, he’s not having to stay in shape to get pummeled by large defensive lineman anymore.'
The Bigger Financial Picture
The controversy arrives as Brady is nearing the end of the second year of his monumental $375 million broadcasting contract with Fox Sports. His foray into pizza advertising, coupled with his recent acquisition of a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, has led some to frame the commercial as part of a broader post-retirement 'money grab'.
Brady has long credited his unparalleled on-field success, including a record seven Super Bowl victories, to the extreme discipline of the TB12 lifestyle. The commercial partnership with a fast-food giant represents a stark departure from that image, leaving a bitter taste for fans who bought into his philosophy of peak performance through pristine nutrition.
