Plenty of people around the NFL have offered their opinions on Aaron Hernandez, but Tom Brady has kept mum. Until now.
In comments this week to TheMMQB.com's Peter King, the New England Patriots quarterback said he's focused solely on the future of the team, not the drama surrounding his former tight end, who was charged last month with the murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd.
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"I've seen a lot of things over 13 years," Brady said, "and what I have learned is that mental toughness and putting aside personal agendas for what's in the best interest of the team matters most. My job is to play quarterback, and I'm going to do that the best way I know how, because I owe that to my teammates regardless of who is out there on the field with me."
Said Brady: "I have moved on. I'm focusing on the great teammates I have who are committed to helping us win games. The only thing I care about is winning. Nothing is going to ever get in the way of that goal. I'm just excited to report to camp and see what we can accomplish as a team. The fate of our season will be determined by the players in our locker room -- nothing else."
Typical Brady: Laser focused on the task at hand and refusing to dwell on what he cannot control. Losing Hernandez strips the Patriots of a dynamic playmaker, but Brady inevitably will build chemistry with the players who remain. Predicting doom for this offense is in vogue of late, but it's also wildly premature.
As long as Brady's at the helm, New England will find a way.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
