Tom Brady Reveals He Was Diagnosed with COVID-19 Shortly After Super Bowl Win

Tom Brady revealed he was diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl win in February.

The Bucs star told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times he tested positive for the virus last year. 

"Yeah," Brady said when asked if he had COVID-19. The three-time MVP added:

“And I think it’s going to be challenging this year. I actually think it’s going to play more of a factor this year than last year, just because of the way what we’re doing now and what the stadium is going to look like and what the travel is going to look like and the people in the building and the fans."

Brady didn't specify exactly when he received the diagnosis, but he told Stroud it came after the Buccaneers' boat parade Feb. 10, which was part of their their Super Bowl victory celebrations. 

The NFL is preparing to host fans at games this season after having reduced crowds at some stadiums or no fans, depending on each city's individual policy on large gatherings, in 2020. 

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians told reporters Thursday the team is 100 percent vaccinated, including players, coaches and staff members.

They are the second team known to have everyone fully vaccinated, joining the Atlanta Falcons. 

The league hasn't mandated vaccines for players, but the protocols for fully vaccinated individuals are much less stringent than they are for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals. 

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the vaccination rate among NFL players is at 93 percent after rosters were cut down to 53 this week. 

The Buccaneers will be the first team to host a regular-season game in front of a capacity crowd since the 2019 campaign when they take on the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.