Movies
Tom Brady’s new movie: Is ‘80 for Brady’ based on a true story?
The film, which hits theatres February 3, was inspired by a real group of Tom Brady fans called the ‘Over 80 for Brady Club’.
Tom Brady may have announced his retirement from the NFL after 23 seasons on Wednesday, but the 45-year-old is still keeping busy with his other projects.
On Tuesday night he stepped out on the red carpet alongside co-stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sally Field and Rita Moreno in Los Angeles for the premiere of ‘80 for Brady’, which he both produced and acts in.
“He was a wonderful actor,” Tomlin told The Hollywood Reporter. “He listens, which is the key mark of a good actor. He really listens and he responds in the moment and you can see him thinking and processing what you’re saying to him, just like it’s real life.”
The movie follows a group of longtime friends as they look to attend the Super Bowl so they can see Brady play in person, and yes, it’s based on a true story.
‘80 for Brady’ is based on a true story
The real ‘Over 80 for Brady’ fan club consisted of five women: Elaine, Betty, Anita, Pat and Claire.
The longtime friends were united in their love for the then New England Patriots quarterback after they all became widows. Their love was so strong that they would take turns watching Patriots games at each other’s houses.
“We had the best hors d’oeuvres,” Betty told CBS Sunday Morning. “A little cussing went on too.”
They got together so often that Betty’s grandson, Max, made them matching shirts that read ‘Over 80 for Brady Club’ alongside a picture of the quarterback’s face.
How the ‘Over 80 for Brady Club’ was turned into a movie
The women have Max to thank for their story making it to the big screen.
He pitched the idea as a movie, with Brady himself getting on board for the project and sending a video to the women.
“The film I saw was one of them talking to Tom Brady,” Moreno told Entertainment Weekly. “I literally thought she was going to go into coronary arrest. She was screaming. She was watching him on a Zoom call.”
Where are the real-life ‘80 for Brady’ women now?
Elaine and Betty, who are 94 and 95 respectively, still get together to watch games weekly.
Claire has since passed away, while Anita and Pat now live in an assisted living facility.
One difference from the real story and the movie is that the women never actually attended the Super Bowl, though that doesn’t change the bond between them.
“Good friends stick together and stay together and do for each other,” Betty told CBS.