After the Washington Football Team won in controversial fashion on Sunday night over the Eagles to clinch a playoff spot, rookie phenom Chase Young was caught on camera yelling, “Tom Brady, I’m coming! I want Tom! I want Tom!”
Though some have scoffed at the idea of a rookie calling out a six-time Super Bowl champion and perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time – even Washington coach Ron Rivera said it would become “bulletin board material” for Brady ahead of their matchup – the edge rusher said on Wednesday that he has no regrets.
“I play ball,” Young said, per ESPN. “I’m excited to go against the best. The media, their job is to stir it up. If you know me, I’m excited for every game. Tom Brady, you think I’m not excited to play against the GOAT? You trippin’. I’m not going to apologize for saying I want Tom. No, I want every quarterback I play against.”
Washington will play Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night, and are currently heavy underdogs despite playing at home. Washington won the lowly NFC East with a 7-9 record, and the Bucs are the NFC’s top wild card team at 11-5.
Still, it appears the rookie Young is not afraid of the challenge.
“Ask any edge rusher in the league who they want to sack and most might say Tom Brady,” Young said.
The 43-year-old Brady called Young a “great player” and attributed the chatter to their college rivalry.
“Went to Ohio State, so naturally I think the Ohio State-Michigan thing wears off on ’em a little bit,” Brady said. “I understand that. We’re prepared for a tough challenge, and it should be a fun game.”