Jim Nantz: Discussing Tom Brady’s divorce during games is ‘out of bounds’

Jim Nantz has no intentions of mentioning the divorce of Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen during Tampa Bay Buccaneers games. 

“That story has been hovering throughout the season, I’ve watched the games and haven’t really heard anyone address it,” Nantz explained during an appearance on the Sports Illustrated media podcast, per Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post. “I kind of feel like that’s out of bounds. It’s his personal life. Tom’s a friend. I wish him well and his family well. I’m gonna be there to cover a football game, I want to be respectful.” 

Brady and Bündchen confirmed their divorce after 13 years of marriage last Friday and after the Buccaneers fell to the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, Nantz and Tony Romo will be on the call for this Sunday’s matchup between the 3-5 Buccaneers and 3-4 Los Angeles Rams.

“I want to be respectful. People always say, ‘please respect our privacy on this matter.’ Most people don’t, which is sad,” Nantz continued about Brady. “I hadn’t even thought about the fact that it’s the first game since they’ve made it official. But again, it’s been hovering out there and I don’t think Tom’s play has been affected by it. That’s just my observation. They’re not losing because of Tom Brady. They’ve had serious injury issues, the offensive line’s a mess, the secondary’s a mess.” 

Nantz did add that he hadn’t yet spoken with Romo or his producer about if the pair will discuss Brady’s personal issues during Sunday’s broadcast. 

Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, and Chris Simms and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk are among analysts and media members who have at least somewhat linked the Buccaneers’ play with off-the-field developments regarding Brady. At this point, logic suggests it’s silly to think Brady wouldn’t be impacted on Sundays by what’s gone on behind the scenes seemingly for months.