Tom Brady doesn’t need a reminder of what the Indianapolis Colts mean to his career. Colts fans certainly don’t forget. The Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry defined a decade of AFC dominance, and the wounds from those postseason battles—especially the Colts’ epic 2006 comeback in the AFC Championship Game—still sting. Brady has gone on record calling that particular Colts group “a nightmare,” and he’s not exactly joking. In February, he even wrote under Peyton Manning’s event post, “That group still gives me nightmares!”
That 2006 Colts squad remains Indy’s gold standard, with names like Marvin Harrison, Dwight Freeney, Jeff Saturday, and Reggie Wayne backing up Manning’s legacy. Colts fans live in those moments. And Brady? For all the rings and accolades, those Indianapolis matchups left a permanent mark. The Colts’ only Super Bowl win? It came through Brady’s Patriots. And that 21-3 blown lead in the AFC title game? It still lives rent-free in Foxborough.
So when Tom Brady showed up at the 2025 Indy 500 for a pre-race ride-along with NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, he probably expected some speed… but not the shade. Johnson, speaking ahead of the event, didn’t hold back: “I have three goals, but I think two of them are realistic. One would be crashing, just so he could have that full experience… I don’t think that’s going to be viewed highly.”
And then, Jimmie revealed the other 2 plans, “One would be for him to get sick in the car, and the other would be to soil his suit. So those two are still in play.” Asked if he gets carsick, Brady fired back with a jab Colts fans might just take personally. “No, not so sick. Thankfully.” he said, while adding, “I’m sure a lot of the Indianapolis Colts fans would want to see me crash at some point here today.”
For someone with seven Super Bowl rings, Brady looked more nervous about a few laps with Johnson than he did facing Freeney off the edge. “When they said Jimmie Johnson was driving you around the track, I thought it was Coach Jimmy Johnson at first,” Brady joked. However, he did claim that he’d be fine as he suggested the best in the world Jimmie to have “great hands.” At this point, Brady knows better than to poke the Colts hive. But the truth? Even in a two-seat IndyCar, the ghosts of Indy past are still chasing him down.
So, Indianapolis didn’t fail to remind Tom Brady
If you’ve ever wondered what a stadium-sized grudge sounds like, Indy just gave you the answer in surround sound. Tom Brady rolled up to the Indy 500—riding shotgun in the “Fastest Seat in Sports” with NASCAR icon Jimmie Johnson—and got drenched in boos. That’s right.
No love lost, no olive branch, no polite golf claps. Just years of Colts heartbreak echoing through a crowd that hasn’t forgotten Brady’s 16-4 record against Indy in the regular season and playoffs. Now, did Brady flinch? Nah. He leaned into it. Literally smiled and welcomed more of it before the race.
Probably replaying every AFC Championship he snatched from Indy’s hands like it was highlight tape on loop. And let’s not forget, this wasn’t just about football. This was Brady in front of a crowd that remembers every dagger. Every fourth-quarter drive. Every Belichick smirk.
“I always thought it was gonna be a challenge,” Brady said, reflecting on his new life as a FOX analyst. Safe to say, crowd control wasn’t one of the challenges he had in mind. Meanwhile, Jimmie Johnson was having the time of his life. “I love the Indy 500,” he said, soaking in the pageantry. For him, the vibe was pure celebration. For Brady, though? It was like walking into a hostile locker room, but make it 300,000 strong.
And still, no nerves. Just Brady doing Brady things. Because whether it’s fourth-and-long or a parade of boos, the guy doesn’t blink. But now, that confidence is because Brady now watches the game from a FOX broadcast booth, earning a cool $375 million over 10 years. Only now, instead of juking safeties, he’s navigating sentences. More like the boos. Playing with it.
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