How Tampa Bay Buccaneers players reacted to the Tom Brady signing
"This guy right here knows how to get it done and can help us get over that edge."
Tom Brady is officially a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, and his new Bucs teammates shared a common excitement for his arrival. Many Buccaneers players took to social media Friday to react to the Brady signing, explaining what it means for the upcoming season and the organization as a whole. Here’s what they had to say.
Chris Godwin
Godwin will be one of Brady’s top targets this upcoming season, and the wide receiver was elated when he found out Brady was joining the Bucs.
“I guess my first instinct was just like ‘Wow’,” Godwin said. “Just having the opportunity to play with someone who’s arguably the greatest of all-time. There’s not many people who get this opportunity. I think the possibilities are endless. Having a guy that is not only as accomplished as he is, but as smart as he is. Being able to come in and be a personable guy. He seems very open to helping guys learn, and that’s what I’m here for.”
“He reached out to me saying he was excited to come down and play together.”
➡️: @CGtwelve_ on @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/issO6sJ5dQ
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 20, 2020
Godwin said Brady has already reached out to him and told him “he was excited to come down and play together.” The fourth-year wide out will also defer his No. 12 to Brady.
We live! Let’s work! @TomBrady https://t.co/arhEF4V0Y0
— Chris Godwin (@CGtwelve_) March 20, 2020
Donovan Smith
The left tackle said he wanted to make sure the signing was real at first, but once the Buccaneers officially announced it, he finally processed the idea he would be blocking for Brady this season.
“It’s a great opportunity not only for myself but for the whole Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan base and community and team,” Smith said. “It’s definitely going to be a fun year.”
“It’s definitely going to be a great year for Tampa and the city and the Buccaneers.”
➡️: @DSmith_76 pic.twitter.com/7sRuvixgjx
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 20, 2020
Smith said he grew up a New York Jets fan and joked that he’d be able to give up his Jets fandom if Brady gave him a jersey.
Lavonte David
The “heart and soul” of the Bucs defense for the past eight seasons, David praised Brady’s winning mentality and believes he’s the player that can help Tampa Bay get over the playoff hump.
“Every year we’re right there but we never find a way to get it done,” David said on ESPN’s Get Up. “This guy right here knows how to get it done and can help us get over that edge. With all the talent he has around him and all the guys we’re bringing back, the young nucleus coming back. I can tell you for sure everybody’s excited to get it going.”
David also told Bucs reporter Jenna Laine that Brady is an “icon.”
This is from Lavonte David, whom many consider the heart and soul of the Bucs’ locker room: “Tom Brady is an icon and a winner. Excited to have a guy with that type of pedigree in our locker room. Looking forward to the upcoming battles.” https://t.co/UVN8GmTauC
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 20, 2020
Devin White
Linebacker Devin White tweeted that he’s going to let Brady’s kids come over and ride his horses on the beach, before firing off a message to all the future bandwagon Buccaneers fans.
Guess Ima let your kids ride my horses on the beach now bro @TomBrady Welcome to the bay 🤠🏴☠️🌊 https://t.co/fbkk4kjBag
— DEVIN WHITE (@DevinWhite__40) March 20, 2020
Goodmorning, it’s okay “WELCOME ABOARD pic.twitter.com/LdUHZIukOQ
— DEVIN WHITE (@DevinWhite__40) March 20, 2020
Ryan Jensen
Let go!! Let’s work! #firethecannons https://t.co/Z1vlxeODYx
— Ryan Jensen (@sinjen66) March 20, 2020
Bradley Pinion
@TomBrady welcome brother! Now let’s get to work!!✊🏼 https://t.co/I8prhxLpo1
— Bradley Pinion (@bpinion05) March 20, 2020
Laine, who reports on the Bucs for ESPN, tweeted that some players are holding off on social media posts for Brady right now out of respect for former quarterback Jameis Winston.
I spoke about this on @ESPN — I’m told that some Bucs players are refraining from reacting on social media right now out of respect for Jameis Winston. They’re excited to be playing with TB12, but they’re also anxious to see where Winston ends up.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 20, 2020
After signing Brady, the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl odds jumped to 14/1, tying the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints for fourth best.
https://twitter.com/Jaboowins/status/1241379005187710976
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