Long before donning Celtic green, Brad Stevens was coaching Gordon Hayward at Butler University. Firmly in Peyton Manning territory at the time, Patriots Nation can't fault either for their allegiance to all teams Indianapolis -- especially the Colts.
But as Gordon prepares for his first season in Boston, Brad offered him a piece of sage advice that Patriots fans know and understand well. Tom Brady will win you over. It's not a question of if; it's a question of when.
On Wednesday, Brad was interviewed during the WEEI-NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon and said it was only a matter of time before Gordon would be supporting Tom, even though he said he wasn't a fan in a video while playing for the Jazz.
"First of all, I think that clip was a few years old, so I have to let him have that at least. But I made sure that he knew, 'By the time you get here, I give you about four weeks before you're a huge Tom Brady fan,'" he said. "Obviously, I've been here four years, coming from Indianapolis, there's a certain Peyton Manning lean from back in the day. Obviously when you're here and you're around the Patriots and around Tom and really around that whole organization, it's so impressive. Actually, as Gordon made his decision and moved forward, I sent them both a little text jabbing Gordon. Tom's been nice enough to give his advice regardless. Tom has been great about it."
Gordon wouldn't be the first to give in and support his new city's football team and star quarterback. Isaiah Thomas, who hails from Washington, is a shining example of this. Whether IT is showing up to training camp or rocking a signed TB12 jersey during the playoffs, he was quick to fit into Patriots Nation.
There's plenty of room for you too, Gordon.
