National Football League

Brady return is breath of fresh air for NFL

Published May. 30, 2009 5:17 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

He approached the media horde with a smile that could charm a supermodel — and has.

Tom Brady, though, wasn't as tidy as one would expect from Mr. Gisele Bundchen on this damp, chilly overcast Thursday afternoon. He was unshaven with a slight case of helmet hair. The red T-shirt underneath his white No. 12 jersey was half-tucked in. And the outline of a bulky knee brace was visible underneath blue sweatpants better suited for a couch potato.