Latest news with #EdenRoc
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Patrick Schwarzenegger packs on PDA with stunning fiancée Abby Champion as loved-up couple cosy up together onboard boat in French Riviera
Patrick Schwarzenegger and his fiancée Abby Champion looked more smitten than ever as they cuddled up together onboard a lavish boat in the French Riviera on Wednesday. The actor, 31, and the model, 28, relaxed in the sunshine on the deck of the vessel departing from Eden Roc, before returning to the luxury hotel. The couple then got all dressed up and were joined by a group of pals as they arrived at the dock once more and set sail again. For their solo romantic outing, Patrick cut a casual figure in a plain grey sweatshirt, black shorts and a baseball cap. Abby opted for a similarly comfy outfit, displaying her incredible long leg in a tiny pair of shorts and black zip-up jacket. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The actor, 31, and the model, 28, relaxed in the sunshine on the deck of the vessel departing from Eden Roc, before returning to the luxury hotel Sweeping her blonde hair up into a ponytail and shielding her eyes behind stylish shades, she could be seen giggling and affectionately touching Patrick's chest. The nearly-weds looked utterly relaxed as they enjoyed some time together, with Abby resting her head on Patrick's shoulder as they looked out on the idyllic seascape. For their second boat trip, the pair changed out of their sportswear and into their glad rags, as they greeted their friends at the dock. Patrick cut a handsome figure in a striped cream polo shirt, teamed with blue jeans and a pair of brown suede loafers. The White Lotus star sported a pair of on trend cateye sunglasses as he posed for a beaming snap with two male pals. Dutifully taking the snap for her husband-to-be, Abby displayed her impeccable sense of style in a fitted black-and-white polka dot dress. The stylish number boasted puffy sleeves and a plunging neckline, showcasing her sensational figure and tiny waist. The stunner accessorised with a black Chanel handbag, a dainty chain necklace, matching gold earrings, and her dazzling diamond engagement ring. Sweeping her blonde hair up into a ponytail and shielding her eyes behind stylish shades, she could be seen giggling and affectionately touching Patrick's chest The stylish number boasted puffy sleeves and a plunging neckline, showcasing her sensational figure and tiny waist Abby whipped off her black ballet flats as she climbed aboard the boat, her hair styled in an elegant plait. The couple have been together for a decade, having struck up their romance in 2015 while Patrick was still in college. The son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver then popped the question at Christmas 2023, with a romantic proposal at the beach surrounded by rose petals. The pair's wedding was postponed so that Patrick could go to Thailand in order to film season three of The White Lotus. Patrick, who played the crude and entitled Saxon Ratliff in the popular show, has kept mum about the date and location of his upcoming nuptials, but previously gushed that he and Abby had been together so long they felt like they were already married. He has also added that he was eagerly anticipating being able 'to finally tie the knot in a location that we love, with people we love.' In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the star gushed over his future wife and he was first attracted to her because of 'how much she values family and how similar our core values are.' He added: 'Over the course of the years, I just continuously fell in love with her more and more, with the kind of human that she was becoming and that the relationship was becoming'. The pair's wedding was postponed so that Patrick could go to Thailand in order to film season three of The White Lotus He has also added that he was eagerly anticipating being able 'to finally tie the knot in a location that we love, with people we love' However, earlier this month a source claimed to Radar Online that Patrick has been delaying set a wedding date. They said: 'It took Patrick forever to propose to Abby in the first place. They've now been engaged for a year and a half and there are still no solid plans in place to make their dream wedding happen.' The insider alleged that the White Lotus heartthrob is loving the attention he had lately been receiving from 'female fans' due to his performance in the third season of the hit HBO series, Insiders claimed claimed that the two had been considering throwing a destination wedding for this summer, but with time slipping away, Abby is allegedly threatening to end things with Patrick if he doesn't commit to a date quickly.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Natalie Portman flashes her abs in a bikini next to a mystery man as she takes a dip in the south of France
Natalie Portman was letting her hair down as she modeled a skimpy black bikini in the south of France on Sunday. Portman showed off her incredible physique as she had abs and sculpted arms with strong legs as she walked barefoot around the coast. The Star Wars veteran was with a mystery man at hotel Eden Roc during the Cannes Film Festival. Natalie recently premiered Arco - the Ugo Bienvenu-directed animation movie - at the Cannes Film Festival. The 43-year-old Lady In The Lake actress, who had a brief relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal in 2006, was earlier this year dating French musician Tanguy Destable. That relationship marked Portman's first romance since her split with ex-husband Benjamin Millepied. The actress and the choreographer started dating after they met on the set of Black Swan in 2009 and announced they were engaged the following year. The former couple tied the knot in 2012 and welcomed two children together: Aleph and Amalia. They finalized their divorce in February 2024 after media reports of an extramarital affair by Millepied in 2023. Her ex has moved on. Portman is reportedly not 'surprised' her ex-husband Millepied started a new romance 'pretty quickly' after their divorce. The Black Swan actress met her choreographer ex-husband, 47, on the set of the ballet drama in 2009 before they tied the knot in 2012. A source shared how she is feeling after he was snapped kissing a mystery woman. The insider told Us Weekly: 'Natalie isn't surprised that Benjamin has moved on because of how their relationship ended. She thought he'd move on pretty quickly. '(Natalie) hopes Benjamin is happy.' Another insider told the publication: 'Benjamin's dating life doesn't really have any bearing on Natalie. 'She's super happy in her life right now and has been prioritizing family and friends.' And yet another source told Page Six: 'Natalie doesn't really care who Benjamin is dating. She moved on a long time ago.' As she turned 43 in June 2024, Natalie thanked friends for lifting her spirits 'again and again'. Portman had on no jewelry for her dip in the Mediterranean. Cannes, a resort town on the French Riviera, is famed for its international film festival. Its Boulevard de la Croisette, curving along the coast, is lined with sandy beaches, upmarket boutiques and palatial hotels Behind her was a kayak and paddle board She said in a message on her Instagram: 'This year, on my birthday, I want to celebrate my gratitude for my friends who lift me up again and again.' Natalie accompanied the message with a carousel of photos showing her on adventures with friends and relatives over the years. Her A-list pals flooded the comments section of the post to send birthday greetings, with 'Black-ish' actress Tracee Ellis Ross writing: '@natalieportman happy birthday gorgeous lady.' Comic Mindy Kaling added: 'Happy birthday, beautiful! ', while actress Reese Witherspoon said: 'Happy Birthday, you incredible diamond of a human! I love you.' And actress Isla Fisher – who said she and her ex-husband Sacha Baron Cohen had secretly filed for divorce in 2023 – added: 'Ports I love you. Happy Birthday I'm so grateful you were born.' She filed for a split from her ex in July 2023 amid reports from Page Six he had allegedly cheated on her with a then-25-year-old woman named Camille Étienne. Natalie and Benjamin initially separated in 2022 but worked through their marital issues before their marriage collapsed. The former couple have two children: son Aleph, 13, and seven-year-old daughter Amalia. Last month Portman said she is drawn to roles depending on what's happening in her personal life. The actress revealed her divorce impacted her work during a conversation with Jenna Ortega, 22, following their collaboration in upcoming film The Gallerist. Speaking to Jenna for Interview magazine, she said: 'You want to find that joy and lightness and humor in your work when things are harder at home.' The two actors also discussed their experiences growing up in the spotlight and how their careers have evolved over time. Natalie added about how her life circumstances often influence her approach to acting roles. She said: 'There are things that come at certain times of your life. 'There's moments in your life where it's really meaningful to have a work experience that just envelopes you in happiness, and this was one of those.' Natalie continued: 'It doesn't always work out, but I'm drawn to things because of what's happening in my personal life.' When asked whether she prioritizes character or script when selecting new roles, Natalie replied: 'I learned from actresses that came before me who said, 'It's important to go for joy.' Natalie laughed as she dove off the board. Her feet went up and her arms went up Though she did not mention Benjamin by name or directly reference the divorce during the interview, Natalie said: 'I was just excited to have kids, and with a person that I was in love with,' when asked about how motherhood had impacted her career. Natalie is set to star in the upcoming film Fountain of Youth opposite John Krasinski. The Apple TV+ feature follows two estranged siblings reuniting in search of the mythical source of eternal life and will be released on May 23. Meanwhile, The Gallerist does not yet have a confirmed release date. When asked what excites her most at this stage in life, Natalie said: 'My kids are always a source of excitement, because you just see them develop into the individuals they are. 'And also, I've been spending a lot of time with my friends, with their kids and my kids; that's pretty fun.' She also said her films are 'usually not appropriate' for her children. The Oscar-winning actress loves that her children will actually get to watch The Fountain Of Youth The star told Extra: 'They have not seen it yet and I can't wait to show it to them because A, I like never get to show my kids my movies because they're usually not appropriate, and then B, it's so fun. 'I think they're gonna have the best time watching it.' Natalie also relished the experience of working alongside John, describing him as a 'great actor'. The celebrity duo have actually known each other since they were children, and Natalie loved being reunited with her showbiz pal. She said: 'I get John Krasinski as my brother, who's, like, the greatest and so funny and such a great actor. 'I think it's so fun to have a brother-sister relationship at the centre of the film. I think it's quite unusual in this kind of adventure and makes sense for 'Fountain of Youth' to be with someone that has known you since you're a child.' The actress feels excited to have so many different projects being released at the same time. The Hollywood star said: 'It's been incredible to have so many things I care about kind of emerge in the world at the same time. 'To have Arco, a film we produced, which is animated, first feature by Ugo Bienvenu, and we're so, so proud of it, and it debuted to such love and appreciation, so it was an incredible moment.' Meanwhile, Natalie previously admitted that she's making a conscious effort to 'impress' her children with her career choices. The actress - who previously starred as Jane Foster in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - told Variety in 2022: 'I feel like it's the phase of my career where I'm really trying to just impress my kids.'
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Helena Christensen, 56, shows off her supermodel figure in a pink swimsuit as she enjoys a plunge at the Eden Roc Hotel during Cannes Film Festival
Helena Christensen was spotted enjoying a dip in the sea at the swanky Eden Roc hotel on Monday during the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The supermodel, 56, showed off her incredible model figure as she slipped into a fuchsia swimsuit while sunning herself on the iconic hotel's sundeck. The Danish native flaunted her enviable figure as she enjoyed a relaxing dip in the sea while staying at the celebrity favourite hotspot in the French Riviera. Helena's brunette locks were slicked back following the dip in the water and she went make-up free, showing off her natural beauty. She accessorised her poolside look with a pair of purple-tinted shades, shielding her eyes from the rays. This year's Cannes Film Festival is taking place in the wake of Trump´s vow to enact tariffs on international films. The supermodel, 56, showed off her incredible model figure as she slipped into a fuchsia swimsuit while sunning herself on the iconic hotel's sundeck Cannes, where filmmakers, sales agents and journalists gather from around the world, is the Olympics of the big screen, with its own golden prize, the Palme d´Or, to give out at the end. Filmmakers come from nearly every corner of the globe to showcase their films while dealmakers work through the night to sell finished films or packaged productions to various territories. 'You release a film into that Colosseum-like situation,' says Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho, who´s returning to Cannes with 'The Secret Agent, a thriller set during Brazil ´s dictatorship. Filmmakers come from nearly every corner of the globe to showcase their films while dealmakers work through the night to sell finished films or packaged productions to various territories. 'You´ve got to really prepare for the whole experience because it´s quite intense - not very far from the feeling of approaching a roller coaster as you go up the steps at the Palais.' Trump sent shock waves through Hollywood and the international film community when he announced on May 4 that all movies ' produced in Foreign Lands ' will face 100 percent tariffs. The White House has said no final decisions have been made. Options being explored include federal incentives for U.S.-based productions, rather than tariffs. But the announcement was a reminder of how international tensions can destabilize even the oldest cultural institutions. The Cannes Film Festival originally emerged in the World War II years, when the rise of fascism in Italy led to the founding of an alternative to the then-government controlled Venice Film Festival. The catwalk legend was snapped climbing up a ladder after she went for a swim In the time since, Cannes´ resolute commitment to cinema has made it a beacon to filmmakers. Countless directors have come to make their name. This year is no different, though some of the first-time filmmakers at Cannes are already particularly well-known. Kristen Stewart (The Chronology of Water), Scarlett Johansson (Eleanor the Great) and Harris Dickinson (Urchin) have all unveiled their feature directorial debuts in Cannes´ Un Certain Regard sidebar section. Many Cannes veterans have returned, including Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning), Robert De Niro - who received an honorary Palme d´Or 49 years after Taxi Driver premiered in Cannes - and Quentin Tarantino, who paid tribute to low-budget Western director George Sherman. Meanwhile Scarlett's directorial debut Eleanor The Great, will be unveiled on May 20. However, in the wake of his legal battle with former co-star Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni is not expected to attend. Over recent years the star-studded extravaganza has arguably won more attention for the outfits worn by its celebrity guests than the roster of feature films being screened on the Croisette. But new nudity rules, devised for 'the sake of decency,' have been implemented at this year's festival. According to organisers, the austere move is an attempt to stifle the celebrity trend for 'naked dresses' - namely provocative outfits that reveal considerably more than they conceal - on the red carpet. 'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival,' states a Cannes festival document. 'The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.' The surprise new policy features in a recent festival-goers charter - released with a series of outlines regarding expected public behaviour. Guests are expected to converge on the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière for some of the highest profile film screenings across a packed two-week schedule in Cannes. It's understood that the iconic venue now adopts a more conservative dress code, with suits, dinner jackets and floor-length evening gowns generally favoured over headline grabbing ensembles. Classic little black dresses, cocktail dresses, pant-suits, dressy tops and elegant sandals, 'with or without a heel', will also be permitted. While the decision to implement a more stringent policy will be a first, it is not known if French TV broadcasters, wary of airing nudity, played a role in its enforcement. Major red carpet events, including the Cannes Film Festival, are aired in France by France Télévisions Recently attracting more models and influencers than actors and filmmakers, the annual ceremony has seen an increase in risque red carpet fashion statements. In 2021, American supermodel Bella Hadid bared her cleavage in a plunging black gown while attending a screening of Tre Piani (Three Floors). She pulled a similar stunt three years later, with guests at the 2024 gala left speechless after she attended the premiere of Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice completely braless beneath a sheer brown evening dress.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- BBC News
Aidan Nugent: Armagh GAA player in court over sexual assault
Armagh All-Ireland winning GAA player in court over sexual assault Aidan Nugent faces four charges - two of sexual assault and two of causing a person to engage in a sexual act A member of Armagh's All-Ireland winning Gaelic football team has appeared in court charged with sexual assault. Aidan Nugent, 30, of Cullyhanna Road, Newtownhamilton, faces four charges against one female complainant - two of sexual assault and two of causing a person to engage in a sexual act. The charges relate to an alleged incident during a wider squad trip to the Eden Roc resort in Miami Beach in November of last year. Appearing at Armagh Magistrates' Court, sitting in Newry, this morning, Mr Nugent spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.
New York Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How John Spytek earned Tom Brady's trust: From Michigan to Tampa Bay to Las Vegas
In a banquet room decorated for Christmas, a group of coaches' kids were entertained by Santa Claus. There were awesome presents for the Michigan football team — high-end swag, including commemorative watches. The Wolverines were gathered at the Eden Roc Hotel Miami Beach the night before Christmas to prepare to play Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl, and this was a night of celebration. John Spytek, though, wasn't feeling very festive. He wouldn't be playing in the game. A redshirt freshman linebacker, Spytek was physically worn down from spending the last five months on the scout team and getting driven into the ground by Steve Hutchinson and Jeff Backus, both future NFL stars. He missed home. He wondered if he belonged. It had been a long season that began with a shattered thumb in training camp. Playing with a cast, he then sprained his shoulder. The week before Michigan's season opener against Notre Dame, he went all out in practice. The next day, after a Michigan win, Spytek was given a T-shirt in a team meeting. 'Scout Team Player Of The Week,' it read. It was the highlight of his year, along with a November practice. That week, in preparation for Penn State, Spytek was assigned to play the part of LaVar Arrington on the scout team. Arrington was on his way to winning the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Lambert Trophy. Wearing Arrington's No. 11 was an honor, and Spytek took it seriously. So did Tom Brady. The senior quarterback threw a deep ball to running back Anthony Thomas, who ran a wheel route. Often, scout team defenders run hard and then ease up at the end so the offensive player can finish the play. But Spytek closed on the ball, reached out and batted it down. Brady, unsurprisingly, would be more difficult to beat on game day. Down by 10 in the fourth quarter, he calmly brought Michigan back, throwing the winning touchdown pass with under two minutes remaining. It wasn't the only time Brady flipped a game's script that season. There was a late touchdown drive to beat Notre Dame and two touchdown drives in the final 16 minutes to overtake Ohio State. If not for Brady, Spytek and his teammates would not have been in Miami preparing for the Orange Bowl. Spytek brought his meal back from the buffet at the Eden Roc and sat at a table with other redshirt freshmen who were feeling like him. They looked down at their plates and didn't say much. Then someone walked up and put his plate on the white tablecloth. 'I think I'll have dinner with the young bucks tonight,' Brady said. Then the team captain and MVP was somehow one of them. For about an hour, Brady talked with the freshmen about nothing and everything, lifting their spirits and making them feel they belonged. 'It was a small glimpse of who he is, the grace he operates in,' Spytek says. 'He probably doesn't remember it. But the rest of us could never forget it.' It is more than an indelible memory. It was the beginning of a connection that would help make NFL history. On New Year's Day, Brady led another comeback to beat Alabama in the Orange Bowl. Then, 11 years passed before he and Spytek crossed paths again. Brady, a sixth-round pick, became arguably the most unlikely success story in the NFL's grand history, winning three Super Bowls and establishing himself as football's best quarterback. After Brady left, Spytek finally got on the field at Michigan, playing 37 games and making 37 tackles over three years. Then the Lions gave him $250 a week to run errands in the operations department. He bartended three nights a week to get by. Spytek began scouting with the Eagles and worked in Philadelphia for five years before becoming the Browns' college scouting director. On the field before a 2010 game between the Patriots and Browns, Brady caught up with his Michigan classmate Aaron Shea, then the Browns' director of player engagement. Spytek moved in and reintroduced himself to Brady. The interaction didn't last more than 10 seconds before Spytek walked away, unsure if Brady remembered who he was. Another decade went by. Brady had won his fourth, fifth and sixth Super Bowls and was widely considered the best quarterback of all time. But the partnership between Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick had frayed, and the Patriots somehow convinced themselves they would be better without him. As the Patriots concluded that Brady was descending, Spytek was ascending. After three years with the Broncos, where he won a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning, he became the right-hand man to general manager Jason Licht with the Buccaneers. In Tampa, Jameis Winston, the former first pick in the draft, arguably had the best season of his career in 2019 under new coach Bruce Arians. The assumption was that the Bucs would commit to Winston long term, even though he had led the league in interceptions. Spytek's job, however, was to open his mind and the minds of others. Late in the season, he studied tape of veteran quarterbacks he thought might be available. Among them were Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. One day, Licht walked into the draft room, which was adjacent to his office, and saw Spytek watching Brady. Spytek told him Brady's contract was expiring, and he didn't see any drop-off in his play. Licht chuckled. Nobody respected Brady more than Licht. He was part of the front office that drafted him and spent seven years with him in New England. But it was almost impossible to envision Brady leaving the Patriots, let alone becoming a Buc. Two days later, Licht approached Spytek at practice. 'I watched Tom,' he said. 'He's still pretty f—ing good.' Licht and Arians decided it was worth a shot, even if it was the longest of long shots. Licht, Arians, Spytek, Rob McCartney, who was the director of pro scouting at the time, Mike Biehl, the director of college scouting, and Mike Greenberg, who handled contracts, devised a plan. They knew if their interest became public, it would create a firestorm that could affect other options if Brady stayed in New England, so they decided to keep their pursuit between the six of them and team ownership. They would use code words to describe their mission. Licht asked Spytek if he really thought Brady might come to Tampa. Spytek, looking at the Bucs' impressive depth chart, pointed out the roster would be a selling point. 'If you build it,' Spytek said, 'he will come.' 'That's from a movie,' Licht said. And so they dubbed their project 'Operation Shoeless Joe' after the Shoeless Joe Jackson character in 'Field of Dreams.' Anytime they spoke of Brady, they called him 'Shoeless Joe.' Licht became 'Ray Kinsella,' the Kevin Costner character in the movie who built the baseball field that drew Shoeless Joe from the great beyond. They began calling Bucs owner Joel Glazer 'Terrance Mann' after the James Earl Jones character who disappeared into the cornfield with Shoeless Joe. They recited lines from the movie. 'Go the distance.' 'Ease his pain.' Operation Shoeless Joe worked, and Brady told the Bucs he intended to play for them. But he still hadn't officially parted ways with the Patriots. He told Licht he would visit Patriots owner Robert Kraft one evening to convey his intentions in person. The Bucs feared Kraft would convince him to stay. Early the next morning, Spytek was stuck at a traffic light on his way to work. He picked up his phone. The first story on his Instagram feed was from Brady, thanking New England and saying he was going to take his football journey elsewhere. By the end of the day, he was a Buccaneer. The Bucs closed their offices that day because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first time Spytek and Brady met as Bucs was at training camp in a BioReference trailer, where both were getting nose swabs for COVID tests. 'Hey, Tom, John Spytek,' Spytek said through his mask. 'We played together a long time ago.' 'Yeah, yeah, great to see you again,' Brady said through his mask. 'It's been so long.' Spytek wasn't sure Brady remembered the batted pass or the Christmas Eve dinner, but he was certain Brady had done his homework on him. During Brady's New England years, he met with Belichick leading up to games and was given a detailed report on the defense he would be opposing. In Tampa, he asked Licht for a similar arrangement. Licht suggested to Spytek that a couple of young scouts could handle the assignment. 'No,' Spytek said. 'I want to do it. We can't send a young scout in to meet with the greatest player of all time.' Spytek wanted McCartney with him because he respected McCartney's knowledge. Licht agreed and told Brady, who had questions about both. 'Are they going to know the league?' Brady asked. Brady showed them a sample report of what he expected. To prepare, Spytek put in the equivalent of a full day's work, as he would before every meeting with Brady. He knew Brady would want a full report on the second nickel and fourth safety, as well as the star linebacker. In their first meeting, they talked about the Saints for about an hour. It didn't take long for Brady to challenge the information. Sptyek told him Marshon Lattimore was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. 'He's not Darrelle Revis,' Brady shot back. Spytek warned him that Saints safety Marcus Williams could hurt him if he hung a ball up in the middle of the field. He described Janoris Jenkins as a twitchy corner who will play off and take chances and said if a quarterback is late with a throw, Jenkins could come up with an interception. Both players intercepted Brady. The game was lost, but trust was won. As the weeks went on, the meetings became casual and longer, sometimes lasting as long as 2 1/2 hours. Their conversations were about more than their upcoming opponent. Often, the first 20 or 30 minutes of the meeting were about their experiences at Michigan. They laughed about how the strength coaches emphasized thick necks. By then, neither had Michigan necks as Spytek had become a marathon runner and Brady had spent years training for pliability. Brady came to Tampa on a plant-based diet that excluded processed foods, dairy, gluten, sugar and nightshades. But at Michigan, it wasn't quite like that. They reminisced about gorging on Cottage Inn Pizza at all hours, pigging out on Mister Spots wings, taking down deli sandwiches from Maize and Blue Deli and trying to bulk up with prime rib and cheese fries from Outback Steakhouse. 'I got to listen to it all, and then eventually was like, come on, can we get to the meeting?' McCartney said. Brady took the prep work seriously, even if he knew his opponents as well as Spytek and McCartney before showing up for the meeting. He even wanted to meet before training camp joint practices. When it was established that he would play in a preseason game in Houston, he asked Spytek and McCartney to meet in their hotel the morning of the game. 'I need to be at my best because people are coming to watch me,' he told them. After their prep work was done, Brady often started storytelling, which he did about as well as quarterbacking. He talked about idolizing and hanging with Joe Montana, Steve Young and Dan Marino and playing golf with Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers in 'The Match.' Despite an uncomfortable parting, Brady spoke reverently about Belichick and his processes, game planning and motivational techniques. He said playing for him helped him see the game from a defensive perspective, which empowered him at the line of scrimmage. Belichick taught him that certain defensive alignments meant he didn't have to concern himself with every coverage possibility. That helped him process more quickly. He told tales of teammates, opponents, games, drives and plays. Brady gushed about Julian Edelman and Rodney Harrison, saying you almost had to kill them to get them off the field. He also expressed admiration for Danny Amendola, Dave Andrews, Rob Gronkowski, Matt Light, Wes Welker and others. 'When he talked about what made them special, it rarely was about how fast or skilled they were,' Spytek said. 'It was how tough they were and how much they loved to play. You got a peek into his mind about what was important to him.' Part of Brady's alchemy was that he seemed to remember almost every blade of grass he played on, but his recall appeared selective about the 2015 AFC Championship Game, when Spytek's Broncos beat Brady's Patriots. In Brady's first season in Tampa, the Bucs won 11 games and made the playoffs as a wild-card team. Moments before the offense took the field in their first playoff game at Washington, Spytek noticed Brady reading something on the sideline. Brady put it down and jogged off. Spytek looked again at what he was reading. It was the report he and McCartney had given him that week. 'The last thing he did before walking on the field to start the playoff run that led to a championship was read the writeup we gave him,' Spytek says. 'It was one of the most poignant moments of my career.' Their work also affected Super Bowl LV. The scouting reports had a video element with 20 to 25 plays. After Spytek and McCartney showed Brady the video of Chiefs defenders before the Super Bowl, Brady gathered his receivers, tight ends and running backs to share the videos with them. It was the first time he did that, and it helped the Bucs put up 31 points in a one-sided victory. As Brady ran through the end zone and headed for the tunnel after the game, he saw Spytek and his wife, Kristen, in the southwest corner of Raymond James Stadium. He stopped and changed directions. Brady bear-hugged Spytek. Spytek had thought about what he wanted to say if this moment came. 'I want you to know that working with you has been the honor of my career,' Spytek told Brady. 'You're awesome,' Brady said. 'Love you.' Nine months later, Spytek ran in the New York City Marathon to raise funds for the National CMV Foundation, a charity he and Kristen helped establish. Their daughter Evelyn had congenital CMV, or cytomegalovirus, an infectious disease that can be fatal. Evelyn lived until she was 21 months old. Shortly before the marathon, Licht told Spytek he should tell Brady about why he was running. Spytek demurred, but Licht told Brady anyway. A couple of days later, the CMV Foundation received the most generous donation in its history, courtesy of Brady. Brady played two more years with the Bucs before retiring at 45 with 23 NFL seasons behind him. Last year, he became a game analyst for Fox and was approved as a minority owner of the Raiders. Before each of the three Bucs games Brady was assigned to, he visited with Spytek. By January, the Raiders were searching for a general manager. Brady, not the typical minority owner, called Licht. 'We had a couple long conversations about Spy,' Licht said. 'He knew him well, so I don't really think he wanted reassurance. He was just kind of telling me, 'This is what we want here. Do you think he would fit?' And, of course, I said yes.' Spytek was interviewed on a video call by Brady, Raiders owner Mark Davis and minority owners Egon Durban and Mike Meldman. Spytek had interviewed for the Raiders' general manager job in 2021 but felt like he had no chance. This was different. Brady asked many of the questions. The interview was cut off after 90 minutes because Spytek had to fly to Nashville to interview with the Titans for their general manager position. But the Raiders knew everything they needed. When Spytek agreed to become the Raiders' general manager, Brady told him, 'Just be you. That's good enough.' They have talked on the phone quite a bit since. Spytek keeps him updated on everything the Raiders are doing. Spytek says Brady asks many questions but has not objected to anything. 'Cool, babe, trust you,' is a typical response. Sometimes, they just talk about what's happening in the league. 'He's as consumed with it as I am, and our love affair with the game is what we have most in common,' Spytek says. Brady, aware of how his physical presence changes the dynamic in a room, contributes remotely for the most part. But when the Raiders were vetting quarterbacks, he came to Las Vegas for a few days. He met with Spytek and coaches to discuss the veteran possibilities. He spent another day with Spytek discussing college quarterback prospects. 'When we are looking at quarterbacks, we'd have to be fools not to involve him,' Spytek says. 'Tom is the foremost expert on quarterback play I've ever been around.' Of course, Raiders coach Pete Carroll was a driving force in the trade for Carroll's former quarterback Geno Smith. But Brady endorsed the move. 'He really respected Geno — the way he can process and throw the football,' Spytek says. During the draft, Brady stayed away but was in constant communication and was on board with the selection of quarterback Cam Miller in the sixth round. 'He liked the way he threw it, his technique, throwing from the ground up and his motion,' Spytek says. 'And he thought he had the potential to improve.' Like Brady, Miller has a history of winning, having won two FCS national championships at North Dakota State and 32 of 35 starts at Solon High in Iowa. Dating to their days together at Michigan, Brady shaped how Spytek thinks about quarterbacks — how they should comport themselves, which traits are essential and which are superficial. Their football values, milled in Ann Arbor and reinforced in Tampa, are the same. What matters to both is the team above all, a wholehearted commitment, unrelenting perseverance and unadulterated accountability. In Tampa and even at Michigan, they helped bring out the other's best. Even if neither realized it, they have been intertwined for 26 years, all the while building for now. After Spytek formally accepted the offer to become general manager, he received a text from Brady. He looked at his phone and saw three letters, an acronym Brady was associated with during the time he and Spytek shared in Tampa. 'LFG,' it read. (Top photo: courtesy of John Spytek)
