Brady Reflects on Memorable Mistake as Cowboys-Bears Showdown Approaches
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare to face the Chicago Bears this Sunday in “America’s Game of the Week” on FOX, lead analyst Tom Brady found himself reminiscing about a rather embarrassing moment from his own playing career. The last time Brady took the field at Chicago’s historic Soldier Field in 2020 as quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he made a rare mental error that still follows him nearly five years later. In a candid moment on “Story Time with Tom,” Brady watched footage of himself confusing downs during a crucial late-game situation against the Bears, admitting with refreshing honesty, “You know, sometimes I even mess things up, and I did on that day.”
The incident occurred in the final minute of the game with the Buccaneers trailing by one point. After Brady’s pass to Cameron Brate fell incomplete, he remained on the field looking confused, holding up four fingers to indicate what he thought was fourth down. In reality, it was only third down, and Brady had lost track during the high-pressure situation. Reflecting on the footage now as a broadcaster, Brady joked, “Broken up on third down. What’s the next play? Fourth down?” before admitting, “I kind of couldn’t believe it that I forgot.” The seven-time Super Bowl champion added with characteristic self-deprecation, “That was a bad mess-up. Bad for the quarterback to not know what down it is, that’s for sure.”
Despite this momentary lapse, Brady’s career trajectory remained impressive. That same season—his first after leaving the New England Patriots—ended with him hoisting the Lombardi Trophy yet again as the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV. This juxtaposition perfectly encapsulates Brady’s career: even legends make mistakes, but their greatness is defined by how they respond and move forward. Brady never returned to Soldier Field as a player after that game, making this weekend’s broadcast a symbolic return to the site of one of his rare mental errors.
This Sunday’s matchup brings together two teams with contrasting momentum. The Cowboys are looking to build upon their recent victory and establish consistency in what has been an up-and-down season thus far. Meanwhile, the Bears are still searching for their first win of the season, hoping to turn things around in front of their home crowd. The game promises to be compelling not just for the on-field action, but also for the commentary from Brady, whose insights as both a former player and now an analyst bring unique perspective to FOX’s coverage alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt.
Brady’s willingness to share and laugh at his own mistakes highlights what makes him such an engaging broadcaster. Rather than hiding from embarrassing moments, he embraces them as part of the learning experience that shaped his career. This approach resonates with viewers who appreciate authenticity from their sports commentators. When Brady jokingly suggested, “If they gave us a fifth down, I maybe would’ve converted on fourth down and moved the sticks,” it demonstrates his ability to find humor in situations that once caused frustration—a quality that serves him well in his post-playing career.
As kickoff approaches for the 4:25 p.m. ET game on FOX this Sunday, fans can look forward not only to the battle between the Cowboys and Bears but also to Brady’s commentary, which will undoubtedly be informed by his own experiences—both triumphant and humbling—on the very same field. His journey from player to broadcaster has allowed him to view the game through a different lens, offering fans insights that few others could provide. While Brady’s playing days may be behind him, his connection to the game remains as strong as ever, now channeled through storytelling and analysis rather than spiral passes and audibles at the line of scrimmage.
