Brady had COVID-19 in February, expects virus to be bigger factor this season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady revealed he had COVID-19 in February, shortly after the Super Bowl LV championship boat parade.

Brady told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times on Saturday that he thinks dealing with NFL's relaxed protocols will be "challenging" this season.

"I actually think it's going to play more of a factor this year than last year, just because of the way what we're doing now and what the stadium is going to look like and what the travel is going to look like and the people in the building and the fans," Brady said.

"It's not like last year, although we're getting tested like last year. It's going to be - I definitely think guys are going to be out at different points and we've just got to deal with it."

The Bucs announced Thursday that they've reached a 100% vaccination rate among players and staff, the second team to do so after the Atlanta Falcons.

Brady is entering his second year with the Bucs after spending the first 20 seasons of his career with the New England Patriots, where he won six Super Bowls.

Tampa Bay will play the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in the NFL's season-opening game.