Tom Brady Returns to New England

Illustration by Naomi Ruiz | The Corsair

On a clear Sunday night on Oct. 3, 2021, Sonny McLean’s Irish Pub, a Boston themed bar in Santa Monica, CA, was full of people clad in Patriot’s jerseys and T-shirts for NFL quarterback Tom Brady’s first game as an opponent to his former team, the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady spent twenty seasons with the New England Patriots, making 16 total playoff appearances and winning six Super Bowls with the team. He was drafted 199th overall by the Patriots in the 6th round of the 2001 NFL draft. On Mar. 20, 2020, Brady became a free agent and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This was Brady’s first ever meeting against the Patriots.

Javier Pineda, a first year Santa Monica College (SMC) student and linebacker on the SMC football team gave his thoughts on the Patriots versus Buccaneers game, “It was very competitive...[Brady] could have had a better performance and the Patriots did all they [could] to prevent him from scoring.” said Pineda.

As soon as the opening video package for Sunday Night Football played, which hyped up Brady’s return to New England and the Buccaneers forthcoming matchup with the Patriots, patrons at Sonny McLean’s cheered loudly.

Most Patriots fans may still root for Brady, but Cal Filson, a Santa Monica resident, is not one of them. “I am a diehard Patriots fan [and] I just booed Tom ten minutes ago.” said Filson.

Being a Patriots fan runs in Filson’s family. “I am from Massachusetts, my dad, my grandpa, it is within our family. I guess the first game I remember was when I was four years old during the 2001 season.” said Filson.

Filson found out about Sonny Mclean’s on his own. “I think we did some research when we moved out here about eight months ago on what bars are Boston bars since we are from Massachusetts and that would be a nice place to go to.” said Filson.

Matt Clough, another Santa Monica resident, heard about Sonny Mclean’s through word of mouth. “I moved here from Boston about two and a half years ago, I heard from friends there was a big Boston bar here.” said Clough.

Clough is one of those Patriots fans who still roots for Brady. “I am a Patriots fan first, but if we are not involved, I am pulling for Tom always.” said Clough.

The Patriots and Buccaneers played a very low scoring game in the rain. Brady played adequately, while rookie Quarterback Mac Jones played better than most expected. The game would end up being decided by the result of a last-minute New England field goal attempt.

As the sun set on Santa Monica, Patriots fans filed out of Sonny Mclean’s after a 56 yard field goal attempt by the Patriots clanked off the goal post, securing a 19-17 victory for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sonny Mclean's Irish Pub is located at 2615 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403 and open to patrons seven days a week.