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Bucs' Tom Brady: 'Only Thing We Have to Fear, Is Fear Itself' amid Workouts

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistJune 25, 2020

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady referenced a famous quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt after working out with teammates amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an Instagram story on Thursday, Brady posted a photo with the caption: "Only thing we have to fear, is fear itself."

Greg Auman @gregauman

Another quote on Instagram from Tom Brady, again practicing with Bucs teammates in Tampa today after NFLPA medical director recommended players not to practice in groups: https://t.co/2wqVT7hN8c

Dr. Thom Mayer, medical director of the NFL Players Association, issued a statement Saturday telling players that they should halt any private workouts with their colleagues:

NFLPA @NFLPA

A message to players from NFLPA Medical Director, Dr. Thom Mayer: https://t.co/4IGlEBhRr9

Meanwhile, Brady and "at least a dozen Bucs players" recently held a two-hour workout, per the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.

In light of the development, The MMQB's Albert Breer shared a comment from the NFL's chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills:

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

NFL CMO Allan Sills asked directly on @TomBrady going against a union memo, invoking FDR today, says he wants players to be educated: "I think this is a place where the NFLPA and NFL are in the same place. ... This is all about risk reduction."

With states having relaxed many of their coronavirus-related restrictions, the number of cases is beginning to climb across the United States.

The state of Florida has been hit especially hard after Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out a multiphase plan to reopen businesses in April. The Florida Department of Health confirmed 5,506 new cases on Wednesday, which set a single-day record.