Concussion Water - Tom Brady approved snake oil
- Thread starter Devizier
- Start date
No idea whether any of this is really "new." But I've actually wondered for a while, at least since the Times feature, whether Brady's relationship with Guerrero might open him up to criticism. At best, the relationship makes him look like a weirdo – embracing weird pseudoscience and New Age mysticism like he did in the Times piece (Giselle seemed a full partner if not booster in that effort). And at worst, it would appear that if Guerrero were actually guilty of any violations that Brady, as his partner in TB12, might bear some liability himself. And of course, this is to say nothing about the potential for this to open up a discussion into the nature of the treatments Guerrero is actually "prescribing" or performing on Brady.
Also, what are the odds that we are looking at yet another Tom Brady scandal this year? Does reaching out to his friends at the FTC represent yet another front in Goodell's War to Protect the Integrity of the Game?
I wish I were totally kidding.
Also, what are the odds that we are looking at yet another Tom Brady scandal this year? Does reaching out to his friends at the FTC represent yet another front in Goodell's War to Protect the Integrity of the Game?
I wish I were totally kidding.
Yeah, this seems like standard Hollywood / fashion industry bullshit framed for the world of professional sports.
Brady's spent the last half hour on his WEEI appearance trying to defend Guerrero and explain his quasi-mystical beliefs about healing and injury prevention. An uncomfortable segment, but at least he didn't dodge the questions.
Wish I heard that interview. The concussion water was touched on here briefly when Russell Wilson was promoting something similar.
I never heard about Guerrero's fake cancer cure crap before. That's about as low as you can get. That's not just weird new age mysticism. That is trying to prey on people when they are desperate and vulnerable.
I never heard about Guerrero's fake cancer cure crap before. That's about as low as you can get. That's not just weird new age mysticism. That is trying to prey on people when they are desperate and vulnerable.
BigJimEd said:
Here's the entire interview: http://media.weei.com/a/109974676/tom-brady-defends-alex-guerrero-10-12-15.htm
It's eerily like the whole Deflategate, Tom is not good at deflecting, tends to sound amused in a way that's going to always infuriate some people...a lot.
I read the transcript. The brainwashed thing is going to fire some people up for sure. Frankly, he's not unequivocally wrong about food products and how/what is hawked via advertisements and sponsors.
Unfortunately, it seems like Guerreo is deeply embedded and TB won't be convinced to let him walk away over increased media scrutiny in addition to gov scrutiny. Makes the lawyers and PR team's job more difficult. If I were going into business I probably would sure as hell read the transcript of what the gov has accused him of/he's accepted.
http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2015/10/12/tom-brady-on-dc-controversial-sports-therapist-alex-guerrero-an-incredible-influence-in-my-life/
Unfortunately, it seems like Guerreo is deeply embedded and TB won't be convinced to let him walk away over increased media scrutiny in addition to gov scrutiny. Makes the lawyers and PR team's job more difficult. If I were going into business I probably would sure as hell read the transcript of what the gov has accused him of/he's accepted.
http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2015/10/12/tom-brady-on-dc-controversial-sports-therapist-alex-guerrero-an-incredible-influence-in-my-life/
Am I the only one slightly worried this dude is slipping Brady some variation of the clear? I hope he's smart enough to be very, very careful with what he's putting in or on his body.
Definitely crossed my mine that this clown might be giving him something verboten.Marciano490 said:
MarcSullivaFan said:
Or Michael Hastings. Whatever you like.
/puts on tinfoil hat/
There are a lot of damaging quotes in that interview. The first or second most prominent athlete in the country (he and Lebron are 1a and 1b; Trout and Crosby play less popular sports) just denounced:
1) The FDA
2) Two Fortune 100 companies
3) The Super Bowl Advertising Machine™
If Tom Brady, 4x Super Bowl Winner, says that Coke and Frosted Flakes are garbage, what's the reaction from those billionaire CEOs? If Tom Brady, 4x Super Bowl Winner, says that Super Bowl advertising is really trying to poison you, what kind blowback is expected? And I'm sure the FDA is super pleased to read these excerpts from one of the most recognizable people in the world.
He is on record saying that this is "his calling". He wants to shake up the sports medicine field, which in the process would syphon $ from the long-established powers in the traditional sports medical arena. And he is well-known and influential enough to to do it. IMO, this is the biggest story of the day. One of the most prominent citizens in the United States basically said the FDA is a sham. Most of us learned folks already knew this...but to the Everyman, this is influential. Let's say Coca Cola Inc. and Kellogg Inc. experience a drop in sales because Tom Brady says they are trash. You think the players involved are going to shrug their shoulders?
He made a lot a wealthy, powerful enemies this morning. As in, people who want to keep the status quo and don't like the Michael Jordan of football talking about it. Choose your words more carefully, Tom. If there's enough money to be spread around, people can be brought down in a myriad of ways. The offices of Illuminati Inc. are not pleased today.
/removes tinfoil hat; prepares for flamage/
So you were given a chance to back away from the position that Brady was going to be killed for his beliefs about food/nutrition/sports medicine and instead you doubled down.
The idea that "billionaire CEOs" and the FDA are going to get together and eliminate Brady to keep him quiet is outlandish and borders on insane. You might want to think about either refining your posts or taking a little break to rethink your strategy here.
The idea that "billionaire CEOs" and the FDA are going to get together and eliminate Brady to keep him quiet is outlandish and borders on insane. You might want to think about either refining your posts or taking a little break to rethink your strategy here.
Listen, I understand. This is not something I concern myself with day to day, just an overall, from 10,000 feet-up opinion.
Do you disagree with these statements?
1) Tom Brady is an influential citizen.
2) Tom Brady is espousing views that conflict with pre-established protocol. Protocol that has a lot of money behind it.
3) If you are a part of this protocol, this intrusion is unwanted.
I'm not suggesting anything dramatic will happen. But I do think he's pissing off the wrong people, and should choose his words more carefully. Although he was put in a tough spot, being directly asked about Guerrero.
Edit: I just find it interesting that the face of the NFL is basically saying that the FDA is bogus, and wonder if there will be any backroom repercussions.
Double Edit: It could be something as simple as the NFL manufacturing another "conspiracy" against him. "Hey Roger... this is Coca Cola Inc...listen, we're not happy about Brady's comments, and thinking about pulling our ads...got anything fresh on the Pats?"
Do you disagree with these statements?
1) Tom Brady is an influential citizen.
2) Tom Brady is espousing views that conflict with pre-established protocol. Protocol that has a lot of money behind it.
3) If you are a part of this protocol, this intrusion is unwanted.
I'm not suggesting anything dramatic will happen. But I do think he's pissing off the wrong people, and should choose his words more carefully. Although he was put in a tough spot, being directly asked about Guerrero.
Edit: I just find it interesting that the face of the NFL is basically saying that the FDA is bogus, and wonder if there will be any backroom repercussions.
Double Edit: It could be something as simple as the NFL manufacturing another "conspiracy" against him. "Hey Roger... this is Coca Cola Inc...listen, we're not happy about Brady's comments, and thinking about pulling our ads...got anything fresh on the Pats?"
Marciano490 said:
Not to be cynical but isn't the whole reason to hire this guy is because he can give you some variation of the clear? I assume 95% of NFL players are putting something whacky in their bodies.
Shelterdog said:
I'd guess it's far closer to 100 than 95 even, I'd just hope he knows exactly what he's using, whether there's a test for it yet, and how and when to cycle off it to beat any test there may be.
Shelterdog said:
Agreed. And I'll say this - the only people with better access to PEDs than athletes are models.
Marciano490 said:
Interesting. I've heard hollywood action stars have shockingly good access as well.
Shelterdog said:
Stallone and Ahnold don't have to evade testing by anyone.... they can use stuff that's been around for decades
Yeah, I'm sure. But it's easier to score whatever you may need to put on 20 pounds of muscle in 2 months than it is to be 5'11 and 85 pounds. But, when Christian Bale did the Machinist I'm sure he go his hands on some good ol' DNP and phetermine, etc.
TL;DR - I'm just surprised that Tom would be this candid about anything this season. He should just give vanilla quotes like usual, throw for 40 and 5, and let the haters lick his scraps. He got more into the subject (of nutrition) than he normally does about anything. But hey, sounds like he's passionate about it and more power to him /throws away tinfoil hat/
As for the Alex Guerrero angle (back on track), I'd like to think TB is a savvy enough guy to not get taken in. Everyone's got a past. If he believes AG is beneficial for him, that's good enough for me.
As for the Alex Guerrero angle (back on track), I'd like to think TB is a savvy enough guy to not get taken in. Everyone's got a past. If he believes AG is beneficial for him, that's good enough for me.
As long as Brady doesn't get caught consuming a banned substance, it shouldn't matter what supplements & foods he takes. Whatever he's been doing so far has been working. It's fairly clear Guerrero plays a large role in the successful results.
Of course, given the paranoia surrounding the Patriots, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see a John Harbaugh/Ryan Grigson type find out what supplements Brady takes, then secretly lobby to ban the substance and get Brady suspended. Given the absurdity of the last 12 months, that seems to be the next phase in "world vs. the Pats", round III.
For the record, I completely agree with Brady's thoughts on big sugar/big soda & mainstream medicine. I see my own "Guerrero" holistic type doctor and am healthier as a result.
Of course, given the paranoia surrounding the Patriots, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see a John Harbaugh/Ryan Grigson type find out what supplements Brady takes, then secretly lobby to ban the substance and get Brady suspended. Given the absurdity of the last 12 months, that seems to be the next phase in "world vs. the Pats", round III.
For the record, I completely agree with Brady's thoughts on big sugar/big soda & mainstream medicine. I see my own "Guerrero" holistic type doctor and am healthier as a result.
GBrushTWood said:
There's no way they could do an ex post suspension. They could wake up tomorrow and ban whey, but not retroactively ban everyone who'd taken it previously. I don't know everything that's on the NFL's banned list or not, so I'm not positive what Brady could be taking that's currently permitted but on the cutting edge; maybe SARMs? Otherwise, if he just as some secret stack of arginine and leucine and citrulline malate, they're not going to ban stuff 16 year olds stumble into GNC and buy on their parents' credit cards.
Erik Hanson's Hook said:
Brady doesn't seem particularly savvy when picking with whom he associates. Two examples: his agent gave him terrible advice during Ballghazi (as stated by the NFLPA defense team), and Ben Affleck's nanny/girlfriend somehow wound up wearing his SB rings -- and was pictured doing so -- on a trip to Vegas.
In any event, this Guerrero guy sounds exactly like Victor Conte/BALCO, the guy in Miami who shot up ARod, the anti-vaccine idiots, etc. The right mix of psuedo-science, real science and well-delivered b.s. can be pretty convincing, especially if you are a highly suggestible person prone to confirmation bias. There is a reason snake-oil salesmen have been around forever. As long as he's not trying to bilk average people into going to the TB12 Center, he can do whatever he wants if it makes him play well.
Has anyone from the Pats' training staff been interviewed about any of this? Or the team doctor? I'd be curious to hear their thoughts.
You don't seriously suggest that anyone on the Pats is going to say anything about this, do you? I'm sure they have their thoughts; I'm equally sure we'll never hear them.nattysez said:
I don't blame Brady for hiring Yee or even following his advice during the early phases of Ballghazi. I'm sure part of the problem was that everyone involved thought Brady was going to be cleared for the simple reason there was no evidence of anything. It wasn't Yee's fault that Goodell took out his personal vendetta against Belichick on Tom Brady and the Pats organization.
Brady wouldn't be the first superstar athlete to be swayed by someone with less than savory goals. Google Bobby Orr and Alan Eagleson. I'm guessing there's a nutrition/diet/training regimen that Guerrero espouses that is at least based partially in science. Whether it's truly worth the money Brady pays for it is another matter, but not my concern. As long as Brady keeps himself clear legally and is ready to run in case Guerrero decides to go off the deep end again, I'd be OK.
I still think the Trump thing is weirder. For a guy who most folks would respond with "Smart" during a round of word association for NFL quarterbacks, his judgment sure looks shaky.
Meh. They're members of the $100M+ club. They've probably rubbed elbows at a few galas and smoked cigars while shooting a few rounds of golf together. Brady was asked a direct question about Trump's candidacy. Frankly, it would be kind of rude not to come out in support of him, no matter what he truly thinks about him as a possible President.P'tucket said:
P'tucket said:
Smart on the athletic field does not equate to smart everywhere. Exhibit A: Curt Schilling.
LeBron crapped all over McDonald's while he was a spokesman for the company. And now he's ditched them all together to invest in quick-gourmet pizza chain.Erik Hanson's Hook said:
Athletes are allowed to be thinking humans with thoughts and ideas.
Tom was very diplomatic in his answer regarding Trump and people took way more from it than he ever said or intended. They actually talked about this on WEEI a week or two after his comments, and Tom basically said his vote is his vote and he's not inclined to share it with anybody. He was also quite clear that his comments were not meant to be an endorsement of Trump, and he talked about how difficult it was, as a celebrity, to say basically anything without everyone taking more from the words than originally intended. I didn't take his words or actions as an endorsement of Trump as a political figure at all.
Do you imagine Brady would have been asked a direct question about Trump had he not put the "Make America Great Again" cap in his locker? It's not like he had a cap from one of The Donald's golf courses; it's Trump's calling card on the campaign circuit. Even if he doesn't support Trump, it's an odd move for a public figure to make.djbayko said:
I wonder if being investigated by the honorable commissioner Goodell and the impartial coverage of said matter by ESPN has made Brady a little more cynical about corporate motives and the received wisdom of powerful institutions.
I could quite easily see how the events of this past year would make him more vulnerable to a guy like Alex Guerrero.
I could quite easily see how the events of this past year would make him more vulnerable to a guy like Alex Guerrero.