Tom Brady gets a lot of publicity for almost everything. For one important project, the GOAT let it fly under the radar.
The Tampa Bay Times had a wonderful story Friday on Brady’s “pet project,” which was legitimately a pet project.
Away from the Bucs, Tom Brady had a pet project in Tampa that flew under the radar https://t.co/EJFK2lVyB6
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 17, 2023
In arguably the most challenging season — personally and professionally — of his 23-year NFL career, Brady found refuge at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Safety Logan Ryan, a longtime animal-welfare activist who has his own rescue foundation, served as the conduit that connected Brady to the place — a place for quality time with his kids, for decompression, for service.
And few had any idea.
“For the most part, nobody even knew that they were here,” said Ornella Varchi, the humane society’s chief development officer.
The Bradys picked up a pair of Siamese kittens on Monday and brought them home.
And the interest was anything but an entitled athlete and his children. They did the dirty work. All of it.
… Brady and his children, 13-year-old Ben and 10-year-old Vivian, would assist the tenants any way they could — walking them, cleaning them, or even just socializing with them. Benevolence in the shadows, attracting zero buzz.
“Sometimes it would be once a week, sometimes it would be every other week,” Silk said. “It just depended on his schedule. Vivian and Ben were almost always with him. Sometimes his other son (15-year-old Jack), would come, too. And they would spend an hour and a half, two hours, literally hanging out and helping the animals. It was just so rewarding to see that.”
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, annually houses more than 13,000 animals at its shelter at 3607 N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa. To volunteer, call (813) 291-7357, or email at volunteer@humanesocietytampa.org.