NFL legend Tom Brady has been seen out and about with his dog Junie, five months after he made the startling revelation that she is a clone. The seven-time Super Bowl champion first disclosed last year that Junie was cloned from his cherished pit bull mix, Lua, who passed away two years earlier.
Public Appearance with Cloned Companion
Shortly after his initial announcement, the former New England Patriots quarterback was spotted walking Junie, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his late pet. On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Junie returned to the public eye as she accompanied Brady, now an owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, on a trip to a gym in Surfside, Florida.
The football icon, dressed in his own 'NOBULL' apparel with a gym bag slung over his shoulder, guided Junie to his car before they departed quickly. This outing highlights Brady's ongoing bond with the cloned dog, despite the controversy surrounding her creation.
Reasons Behind the Cloning Decision
In November, Brady elaborated on his decision to clone Lua after collaborating with biotech firm Colossal Biosciences. In a press release obtained by People magazine, he stated, 'They mean the world to me and my family.'
Brady detailed, 'A few years ago, I worked with Colossal and leveraged their non-invasive cloning technology through a simple blood draw of our family's dog before she passed.' As a result, he and his three children gained a 'second chance with a clone of our beloved dog,' the quarterback explained.
Brady, along with his now-ex-wife Gisele Bundchen, originally adopted Lua in 2014, followed by a beagle named Scooby in 2015 and a terrier named Fluffy in 2016. Lua died in 2023, shortly after the couple's divorce. Brady also owns a black pit bull mix named Onyx.
Mixed Reactions and Broader Cloning Trends
Brady's admission sparked varied responses online, with figures like Dave Portnoy calling the move 'weird.' The press release also announced Colossal Biosciences's acquisition of Viagen Pets and Equine, a company that has cloned dogs for celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Barbra Streisand in recent years.
This trend extends beyond entertainment and sports; Argentina's president Javier Milei has admitted to cloning his dog, Conan, five times. However, cloning comes with a hefty price tag, ranging from $50,000 to $85,000 per pet.
Ethical Concerns and Criticisms
Given that approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized annually in the United States, primarily due to overcrowding, critics have urged pet owners to avoid cloning and consider adoption instead. They argue that resources could be better spent on rescuing animals in need.
Brady's Recent Endorsements and Lifestyle Shifts
In related news, Brady recently faced accusations of hypocrisy for endorsing Pizza Hut and Dunkin' Donuts, despite his well-known 'TB12' diet that emphasizes anti-inflammatory foods. The 48-year-old athlete has previously criticized sugary cereals and soda as 'poison' for children.
Over a decade later, Brady has shifted his stance, partnering with these brands for lucrative television commercials. He addressed the criticism in an interview with CNBC, saying, 'It’s moderation in all things. I think there’s probably been people who have gone overboard with the kind of rigidity of my lifestyle or diet.'
Brady added, 'I have kids, and I have Halloweens and birthday parties, and we’re like a normal family. I understand the reality of life as well.' This perspective reflects his evolving approach to both his public image and personal choices.
