Skip to content

Brady says he texts Super Bowl opponent Ryan regularly

Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady and Matt Ryan will square off on Feb. 5 in Houston with a Super Bowl title on the line, but that doesn't mean the two share any animosity.

On the contrary, Brady revealed Monday that he communicates regularly with Ryan, and heaped praise on the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

"We've kind of kept in touch over the years," Brady said on WEEI radio, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. "I'm always sending him texts over the course of the season and vice versa. I have a lot of respect for Matt. I like him a lot as a person, as a player, as a leader."

Ryan played his college ball at Boston College, whose facility is located just 20 miles north of the New England Patriots' Gillette Stadium. Brady also noted the Falcons practiced with the Patriots prior to the 2010 season.

"I got to see him up close and talk to him quite a bit," Brady said of the practices at Falcons headquarters. "Matt is a classy guy and a great quarterback."

Atlanta blew out the Green Bay Packers 44-21 in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday thanks mostly to an offense that scored early and often, which apparently caught Brady's attention.

"It will be a big test. They're playing great, and Matt has had an incredible year. Their offense, what they did yesterday in the first quarter that I was paying attention, it looked like they were on fire," Brady said. "They're there for a reason. They've beaten all the best in that conference."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox