Editorial: Tom Brady, Commencement Speaker?
By • May 12, 2026 0 681
Learning that legendary quarterback Tom Brady would be one of Georgetown University’s commencement speakers, perhaps some of you said, “Why?”
Not just the Brady Haters. Yes, outside of Baltimore — where there will always be one Golden Arm (Johnny U) — the seven-time Super Bowl champ is considered the G.O.A.T. But TB12 is a controversial figure on account of his dating, marriage and procreation record; his long-standing bromance with the current president; and a lingering association with a decade-old matter labeled “Deflategate.”
Apart from that, are his achievements, impressive as they are, worthy of an honorary degree from the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the country?
Also on this year’s lineup of 13 speakers are such leading lights as classics scholar Mary Beard, to be honored by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences; former U.N. Ambassador Cindy McCain, by the McCourt School of Public Policy; and former Secretary of State John Kerry, by the Walsh School of Foreign Service.
At 2:30 p.m. this Saturday, when he trots to the Healy Lawn lectern to address the class of 2026 of the McDonough School of Business, Brady, 48, will be making his first commencement speech at a major university. (Kerry is due at 5 p.m.)
Other than that, he’s a high-profile celebrity and a successful entrepreneur — with brands in the wellness, apparel and media spaces — here, we believe, is why.
This spring, the McDonough School launched the Durban Sports Business Program with an inaugural cohort of 40 students. Led by Luis Maes, who has held positions with the Kansas City Royals, EA and Nike, the program is named for donors Egon and Abby Durban, parents of a currently enrolled Hoya.
The former is co-CEO and managing partner of investment firm Silver Lake, the portfolio of which includes major sports properties and interactive entertainment firms. The latter is a managing partner at ASK Capital, the Durbans’ family investment office.
Egon Durban, McDonough class of 1995, credits the Jesuit tradition of “Men and Women for Others” he encountered at GU with helping him along on his life and career paths.
The direct Brady connection? Durban’s just-approved option to purchase a majority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders; Tom holds five percent of the team (leading to accusations of a conflict of interest, since he’s an NFL analyst for Fox Sports).
Frankly, we’re jazzed that he’s coming to the Hilltop. In the words of RFK — like Tom Brady, a former big name in football — we say, “Why not?”
