Tom Brady Discusses Being Involved With Junk Food Endorsements and Ads

During his playing days, former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, now minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tom Brady was well-known for his incredibly strict diet that help ed him play well into his 40s, but since he's been retired, he's appeared in ads for brands like Pizza Hut and Dunkin', which are foods he wouldn't have consumed during his playing days. 

Now, though, he's sat down with CNBC's Alex Sherman to discuss his endorsement decisions, an interview that'll be released in full on Thursday. 

Brady Discusses Diet Views

In 2015, while Brady was with the Patriots, he, as CNBC points out, referred to soda and cereals as "poison for kids," but he's since changed his tune. 

“I think it’s moderation in all things,” Brady told Sherman while discussing his partnership with Ferrero, a maker of plenty of sweets. 

“I think there’s probably been people who have gone overboard with the kind of rigidity of my lifestyle or diet,” he said. “I have kids, and I have Halloweens and birthday parties, and we’re like a normal family.”

Brady co-founded TB12, a wellness brand focused on anti-inflammatory diets. That brand has been winding down, though, and is no longer intertwined with the Nobull fitness brand. 

Brady Talks Endorsements, Family Life, and Overall Health

Overall, Brady says he also enjoys the creative side of the ads. 

“It’s good scripts and writing,” he said, along with opportunities to engage with fans.

For example, the ad with Pizza Hut featured him being tackled by an elderly woman, and the Dunkin' ad was a "Good Will Hunting" spoof. 

The deal with Ferrero will include Brady taking a bite of a chocolate Crunch bar and posing next to the World Cup trophy. 

“I just want to get out there and have a great time with the people,” Brady said.

Even with these ads, though, Brady still tries to be as healthy as possible, but he did admit that when he's traveling or watching a game, it can be hard. He did say that he still works out and remains hydrated. 

“I understand the reality of life as well,” he added. “I’ve been very fortunate over the course of my life to have people make food for me all the time and, we’ve had nutritionists as part of our teams, and I’ve been very blessed to have that.”

“I know there’s a lot of other people that are working really hard year round to provide for their family, and I have a lot of respect for those people and the way that they go about enjoying their life too,” Brady said.

Brady did say he uses Nutella when he makes pancakes for his kids and often consumes Tic Tacs, which are both Ferrero products.