Tom Brady says football has been 'dumbed' down at college, NFL levels: 'It's just a tragedy'

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Tom Brady will enter his broadcasting role in the NFL this year, and he’s sharing his thoughts on how the game has negatively evolved before the regular season kicks off. 

During an appearance with Stephen A. Smith at Fanatics Fest over the weekend, Brady was candid about the state of football at both the college and NFL levels, saying the game has been "dumbed down" and no real development happens anymore with rookies thrown into the fire from the beginning of their careers. 

Brady began by talking about how college programs have changed since his days at Michigan. 

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Tom Brady leaves the Paris 2024 Olympic Gymnastics finals Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris. (MEGA/GC Images)

"There used to be college programs," Brady said. "Now, there are college teams. You’re no longer learning a program; you’re learning a playbook. And the program is, ultimately, like at Michigan for me, that was a pro-style program. Five years I got to learn how to drop-back pass, to read defenses, to read coverages, to be coached. I had to learn from being seventh quarterback on the depth chart to moving up to third to ultimately being a starter. 

"I had to learn all those things in college. That was development. Then, I went to New England, and I was developed by Coach Belichick and the offensive staff there. I didn’t start my first year there. I think it’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these [NFL] rookies to play early."

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