- The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Tom Brady may be staying in Tampa Bay, but his new favorite WNBA team is in Dallas.

The star quarterback on Monday called Dallas Wings first-round pick Veronica Burton to congratulate her.

“Hey, Veronica, what’s up? I just wanted to congratulate you on being drafted,” Brady said on the call, which was posted on social media by the WNBA. “The four-time Big Ten steals leader, I know you’re a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award, an All-American, and now you’re in the WNBA. Congrats to you.”

Burton, a Newton, Massachusetts, native, was picked No. 7 overall by the Dallas Wings after an illustrious career at Northwestern. 

“Man, that was Tom Brady, the GOAT, the greatest player of all time, wishing me a congratulations,” Veronica said. “That means more than anything. He’s the best.”

Brady is a family friend of the Burtons, knowing Veronica’s father, Steve, from his time with the New England Patriots. Steve Burton is the sports director at Boston’s CBS affiliate.

Veronica’s brother, Austin, is a quarterback at Purdue, while her sister, Kayla, is an anchor and reporter for NFL Network. Kayla Burton played college basketball at Lehigh, while the eldest Burton daughter, Kendall, played at Villanova.

“I know the Burton family very well. I’ve known your dad for a long time, your brother [Austin],” Brady continued. “Just know that I’m always cheering you from afar and I wish you the best of luck. You had an amazing career and we know you embody everything about the spirit of community. It will take you a long way in life, it will take you a long way in your basketball career and it will take you a long way in your family.”

• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.

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