Tom Brady adds context to Malcolm Butler interception, decision to give him MVP car

Future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Tom Brady rehashed several different points of his legendary NFL career this week with Dan Patrick on his show. As he’s winding down his incredible career, the former New England Patriots legend got the chance to speak with Patrick about one of the most famous interceptions in Super Bowl history, when his old teammate, Malcolm Butler, intercepted Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at the goal line with 20 seconds remaining in the game. The interception lifted the New England Patriots to a heart-stopping 28-24 Super Bowl XLIX victory and Brady spoke with Patrick on Wednesday about how he feels Butler doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the play.

“You know. I will say that was one of the greatest defensive plays in the history of the NFL. Malcolm Butler had that ability to make that play. There are very, very few cornerbacks in the NFL that have the twitchiness and the reaction to get to that football. And as much as people will say ‘he should have handed the ball off.’ We put a defense in that day that didn’t allow you to hand the ball off. There’s kind of a clip on our sideline,” Brady explained.

“Where they called goal line, three corners. Malcolm ran in. We forced them to throw the ball. And…they could have given it to Marshawn [Lynch], obviously. I would say that…the coverage was an all-out blitz and the ball had to come out quick. And Malcolm made the play. So I do think that was one of the great plays in NFL history. For as much reaction to, ‘oh they should have handed the ball off, I wish there was the same reaction that was ‘can you believe how incredible of a play that was that Malcolm made?’ In fact, that’s why I gave Malcolm the car, because Malcolm deserved the car. And you, know, I think he’s still got it,” Brady said.

Brady was named the MVP of Super Bowl XLIX and he was awarded a Chevy truck as part of the prize package. That’s the car that he gave to Butler. The gesture not only shows the legendary quarterback’s humble nature, but his willingness to go out and thank his teammates when they make the big plays on the biggest of stages. Gestures like that one are a huge reason why so many of his teammates have loved him over the years.