“I Had A Little Groupie Moment”
August 10th, 2022
Joe loves a great Tom Brady story that involves one of Joe’s favorite Buccaneers of all-time.
The ex-Buc is Donald Penn, the former Pro Bowl left tackle who manned the position for the Bucs from 2007 through 2013. He went on to play for the Raiders (two Pro Bowls) because Lovie Smith and Jason Licht didn’t want to keep him.
Disrespect was nothing new for Penn, who routinely was blasted for his weight; meanwhile, he was one of the most durable left tackles in NFL history (194 games)
Penn is still a big Bucs fan (and a JoeBucsFan fan) and was a guest co-host last night on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
In a discussion of the Bucs, Penn shared his Tom Brady story. Back in 2009 as a third-year player for a miserable team, Penn set out to say hello to Brady in the postgame frenzy, just for the sake of meeting Brady. The Bucs were blown out by the Patriots and Penn found Brady.
To his surprise, Penn said Brady addressed him by his full name and told him what a great player he is and that he’s been watching him. Penn was stunned, he said, floored that Brady knew who he was.
“I had a little groupie moment,” Penn said of the interaction and the aftermath of him telling his Bucs teammates.
Fast-forward to 2019 and Penn is closing out his career with Washington as their starting right tackle.
“My last year in Washington, I asked [Brady] after the game for his jersey. And he was like, ‘Man, AP already beat me to it.’ But he was like, ”you know what, I’m going to mail you one.'” Penn said. “That Wednesday, FedEx came and he signed it personalized to me to me. You know, he didn’t have to do that. I have a lot of respect for Tom for doing that. He didn’t have to do that.”
Yes, the legend of Brady has touched generations of NFL players and fans.
It’s no surprise that he’s universally beloved and respected among players.
August 10th, 2022 at 7:29 am
Class act! Not the first time I’ve heard of Tom doing that. I always loved Penn.. I remember he and Jared Allen going at it in a prime time game vs.Minnesota.
August 10th, 2022 at 7:38 am
The original Durable Donald.
I liked him!
August 10th, 2022 at 7:53 am
Always pulled for Don Penn. Didn’t he have a couple dustups with Jared Allen and didn’t back down an inch?
August 10th, 2022 at 7:53 am
Penn was a baller, loved him like Gruber, and makes me all
The more appreciative of Donnie and Tristan.
Brady is the man, so cool to hear how he’s still just a dude, despite his Babe Ruth-like status. He still cares and understands that he got his start somewhere. I also think he’s a Jedi at compartmentalizing and fueling his fire.
I hope the Bucs brass can make Brady an offer he cannot refuse to remain a Buc QB/Minority owner, etc. please keep the Goat in any way, shape or form. If not c another team will ring the bell.
August 10th, 2022 at 7:54 am
Brady is a player’s player……in every respect….
I used to not really like him….I guess because he was such a winner & I’m usually an underdog type fan (Bucs fan)…..but now that he’s ours and I hear stories like this……I’m impressed.
August 10th, 2022 at 7:57 am
Where is Dotson these days?
August 10th, 2022 at 8:03 am
Any wonder guys like Jones, and Hicks want to be here? I’m sure if Tom called Tretter because he didn’t trust Hainsey he’d be learning how to keep his towel dry as we speak.
August 10th, 2022 at 8:43 am
I’ve hated Brady and the Patriots most of my adult life… That Atlanta Super Bowl won me over, most incredible sporting event I’ve ever seen, outside of the triple OT playoff between the Celtics and the Sun’s in ’75 or so
August 10th, 2022 at 10:10 am
I didn’t know that Penn played all the way through 2019. Good for him.
Raheem ruined Penn by the cultural decay he oversaw. I remember seeing Penn in 2011 get spun by his man and Penn tried to block him with his butt. Penn’s film that year was unbecoming and he didn’t really ramp up his game until the Raiders, so probably best thing for him anyway. Schiamoron and the Lovester couldn’t coach their way out of a short straight tunnel, so not surprising they couldn’t get the best out of their players.
August 10th, 2022 at 10:52 am
Awesome story and we are lucky to have this dude.
August 10th, 2022 at 11:11 am
That Brady guy has promise. He may go far.
August 10th, 2022 at 11:35 am
If the Buccaneers gave Tom part ownership, they would immediately gain back the value they give up.
August 10th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
I remember being at games when Penn was a sub but loved his hustle and demeanor, and was pulling for him to start. Hope our new O Line guys are similar.
August 10th, 2022 at 12:24 pm
Incredible amount of CLASS.
Such a cool story to hear.
And man, I always loved Donald Penn.
Wish he could’ve stayed here.
August 10th, 2022 at 3:20 pm
That is one of the coolest stories I’ve heard. That’s Arnold Palmer-like stuff.
August 10th, 2022 at 9:34 pm
It is surprising that Tom has been watching films and memorize all players’ name.