Tom Brady stays silent but remains in spotlight at Best Buddies charity event

Tom Brady remained silent at the Best Buddies fundraising event and football game at Harvard Stadium on Friday night. Getty Images for Best Buddies

By Steve Silva with video by Lauren Foley

May 29, 2015

2 minutes to read

As the Patriots continued their organized team activities on Friday, quarterback Tom Brady was on the field with his teammates, but did not speak with reporters after practice.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP remained silent Friday night at Harvard Stadium where he took part in the 16th annual Best Buddies Challenge, an event dedicated to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The weekend festivities that extend from Cambridge to Hyannis Port kicked off tonight with Brady’s annual flag-football game.

As you might expect, Brady entered to wild cheers as the Dighton-Rehoboth High School marching band played to the crowd of several hundred Best Buddies supporters.

In past years, Brady has always spoken with the media at the event, but he did not Friday night. Other current and former Patriots taking part in the action included Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, and Scott Zolak, and following the game, celebrity chef Guy Fieri hosted a tailgate party at the Harvard track with the help of Steve DiFillippo of Davio’s.

“It’s great coming out here,’’ Fieri – an admitted longtime Oakland Raiders fan — told Boston.com. “Boston’s a great town, great town for food. You guys are super loyal, super loyal about your sports man. Don’t ever get into an argument with anybody from Boston about [sports].’’

On Saturday, over 2,000 people are expected to participate in the cycling challenge part of the weekend, which includes a 100-mile ride from Boston to Hyannis Port. Celebrities with Boston ties are expected to take part in the challenge including, Michael Chiklis, Maria Menounos, and Dane Cook.

“We’re friends, and I haven’t had a chance to see [Brady] since all of the craziness,’’ said Chiklis, best known for his portrayal of detective Vic Mackey in the former FX crime drama The Shield. “So it’s just great to see him and say ‘Hey man, I’m proud of everything you do and you’ve had such an incredible run and, lending support.’’’

Brady has not spoken publicly since May 12, when the NFL handed him a four-game suspension for his involvement in the scandal surrounding the use of deflated footballs during the NFL playoffs last season. He is currently appealing that decision with the league.

Brady last spoke publicly at an event at Salem State University in early May. He declined to discuss his thoughts about the Wells Report that found he was likely at least aware two team employees were breaking rules by deflating footballs for him.

“I don’t really have any reaction. It has only been 30 hours, I’ve not had much time to digest it,’’ Brady said to moderator Jim Gray at the Salem State event. “When I do I will be sure to let you know how I feel about it. And everybody else.’’