National Football League

Brady: I've 'moved on' from Hernandez

Published Jul. 23, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady broke his silence Tuesday about former teammate Aaron Hernandez, who has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd.

In an interview for the new MMQB website, Sports Illustrated's Peter King asked Brady: "What’s your reaction to Aaron Hernandez’s being arrested and cut from the team, and how will his absence affect your offense?"

Brady didn’t mention Hernandez by name in his answer, but he did talk about moving on as both a player and a team and said that he is only focused on the future.

“I’ve seen a lot of things over 13 years, 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,” Brady said.

“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.

“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.”

Brady, who turns 36 next month, also told King that he feels he can play past the age of 40.

"I have a lot of goals, and I am in this for the long haul. I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. Whether the team wants me, or whether something [like an injury] happens tomorrow to stop me from playing, that remains to be seen. But my training, my nutrition, the bodywork I do — I can’t see not playing at any time in the near future. There’s nothing I love to do more. Whether the New England Patriots want me, or anyone wants me, I know I want to play for quite a while."

The Patriots are scheduled to report to Gillette Stadium for the start of training camp Thursday. Brady has already arrived at the facility.