Tom Brady, once known for criticizing social media, especially towards his former teammate Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, has undergone a remarkable transformation.
Brady, who was once vocal about his disapproval of Johnson’s Twitter presence, is now one of Instagram’s most followed sports figures.
In a recent appearance on the “Dudes On Dudes” podcast, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski revealed that Brady and head coach Bill Belichick would frequently chastise Johnson for his love of Twitter during their time together in New England. According to Gronkowski, Brady would say, “Get off Twitter. It’s not going to help you on the field.”
Despite Brady and Belichick’s objections, Johnson continued to use Twitter extensively, gaining fame for his larger-than-life online persona. Edelman, who also played alongside Johnson in New England, explained, “We just did things differently in New England,” with Gronkowski adding that Johnson “didn’t really fit into that.”
Even after leaving the Patriots in 2012, Johnson remained active on social media, making headlines with his tweets and online antics. Over the years, he transitioned to broadcasting and has since built a large online following, continuing to entertain fans on social platforms.
As Brady continues to share updates about his career and personal life on Instagram, the dynamic has shifted. Brady, who once criticized Chad Johnson’s use of social media, is now one of its biggest stars, with over 18 million followers on Instagram. Brady even poked fun at Belichick’s Instagram debut in 2024, joking, “Alright, guys. Party’s over, Bill’s here.”
The 72-year-old Belichick, famously absent from social media for years, has gained 445,000 followers, even sharing personal moments such as a photo with his 24-year-old girlfriend.
Rob Gronkowski couldn’t help but laugh at the irony, saying, “Tom’s now Mr. Instagram or Mr. X. It’s funny how things change.”
Tom Brady’s journey from critic to social media icon highlights how even the most disciplined athletes can evolve—and perhaps even embrace the very things they once criticized.
