Tom Brady: Has His Legacy Been Ruined by a Broadway Play?

Saturday night, Jan. 8, 2011.  The Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets are in a down-to-the-wire playoff game that saw not one, but two go-ahead field goals in the last minute, the last of which sends the Jets to a rematch with division rival New England for a shot at the AFC Title Game.

Millions watched, cheered and analyzed this amazing playoff game. 

Tom Brady was not one of them.

Brady chose to instead spend the evening in New York, taking in a Broadway play.

Yes, the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback decided against watching such a crucial game, choosing instead to watch Lombardi.

Such actions have drawn comparison to Tony Romo's decision to take then-girlfriend Jessica Simpson on a Mexican vacation the week before taking on the New York Giants in the NFC playoffs three years ago.

As you can guess, the Cowboys lost and Romo received heavy criticism for the ill-timed getaway.

As for Brady?  Hardly a peep.

Is the media protecting their Golden Boy, Tom?  Or is his playoff reputation granting him a pardon?

Think about this:

Remember that historic Super Bowl that saw the New York Giants upset the undefeated Pats?  Of course you do.  That was also the last year Brady won a playoff game.

Counting that Super Bowl, the Patriots are 0-3 in their last three playoff games.  Rex Ryan called Brady out on his preparation, and for once, Ryan might be right.

Brady was spectacular during the regular season, with 36 touchdowns to only four interceptions despite seeing top target Randy Moss traded away.

However, for the second straight year the New England Patriots have been bounced from the NFL playoffs after only one game.

Last year saw the mighty Pats losing in the first round, a self-imploding loss at home to the Baltimore Ravens, 33-14.  Brady barely completed over 50 percent of his passes, was sacked three times while tossing three picks to the Ravens D.

Surely a fluke right?  Legacy still in tact, for sure.

Fast forward a year and the Pats go 14-2, a first-round bye, and the Jets coming to town, recently throttled by New England in the regular season.

Coming off a year with a Super Bowl title, who could blame Brady for a night out instead of watching the Jets-Colts game?

But coming off an embarrassing home playoff defeat in which he threw three interceptions? 

The once-invincible Brady has now been accused of being unprepared, and with another early playoff exit, is this accusation correct?

Brady's legacy may not have been ruined, but for a guy who's had so much expected of him, it has no doubt been tarnished.

Let's hope it was a damn good play.