Tom Brady blasted for releasing ‘immunity’ supplement during pandemic
Tom Brady launched a new “immunity” multivitamin supplement this week — and critics quickly tackled the quarterback for the timing of the release during the coronavirus pandemic.
Brady, 42, newly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced the release of the “immunity blend supplement,” called Protect, through his company, TB12 Sports, on social media Monday.
“Over the years, I’ve learned how important it is to be proactive in taking care of my own body,” Brady said in a video posted to Instagram. “I’m really proud to announce this amazing new product from TB12 that will provide you guys exactly what you need to stay healthy, strong and resilient for whatever comes your way.”
It is sold as a 30-day supply, or 60 tablets, for $45, according to the TB12 website.
Critics bashed him on Twitter for the not-so-coincidental timing of the release — and for capitalizing on people’s fears amid the pandemic. In Brady’s new home state, nearly 47,000 coronavirus cases and over 2,000 related deaths have been reported, according to the Florida Department of Health.
“Oh Tom this is so disappointing,” Julia Offord Pearman tweeted. “The marketing of this product is clearly playing on people’s fears over Covid and a belief that the immune system just needs a boost to recover from it. If it’s an athlete recovery supplement say that, don’t play up to people’s fears about Covid.”
“What does your product ‘PROTECT’ us from Tom?” said a person with the handle @katherine_jj6. “Does it protect the millions out of work from being duped to pay a ridiculous amount of money for this? This is a new low for you and [business partner] Alex [Guerrero].”
“The reason Tom Brady doesn’t have coronavirus isn’t an immune boosting supplement, it’s because he’s obscenely rich and can isolate unlike delivery drivers, cleaners, meat workers, grocery store workers, nurses and doctors,” wrote Dr. Kate Gregorevic, who identified herself as a geriatrician. “Using this crisis to enrich himself is disgusting.”
But TB12 CEO Johns Burns told Yahoo! Sports that “now more than ever, it’s important to have daily support for a healthy immune response as our bodies are subject to constant stressors that deplete its resources.”
Brady’s company touts the drug for “supporting natural killer cells” and “replenishing antibodies post-exercise,” helping to “activate your immune system and counter stress-induced immune suppression,” according to a product description.
The supplement contains vitamin C, zinc, Beta Glucan — a form of soluble dietary fiber that helps improve cholesterol levels and heart health — as well as larch tree extract, which has been used to defend against the common cold and upper respiratory infections.
At the end of March, earlier in the pandemic, Brady promoted a similar supplement bundle that is selling for $147 on the TB12 website, MassLive.com reported.
Florida moved into Phase 1 of its reopening plan, allowing gyms and fitness centers statewide to operate up to 50 percent capacity, on Monday — the same day Brady released his product.
In March, Brady signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers, worth a guaranteed $50 million — with up to $9 million more in performance and team success incentives and a no-trade clause.