You probably remember the "Shipoopi" dance. It’s one of those Family Guy moments that’s basically burned into the collective consciousness of the mid-2000s. But the story of Tom Brady Family Guy appearances goes a lot deeper than just a musical number and a few flat jokes about New England.
It’s actually a weird time capsule of 2006 pop culture.
Back then, Tom Brady wasn't the "retired-then-unretired-then-broadcaster" GOAT we know today. He was the young, golden-boy quarterback of a dynasty that was still in its early "everyone loves them except the Jets" phase. When he showed up in Quahog, it wasn't just a cameo. It was a full-blown event.
The Episode That Started It All: "Patriot Games"
So, here’s the setup. Season 4, Episode 20. Peter Griffin goes to his 25th high school reunion and, in classic Peter fashion, pretends to be a secret-agent-astronaut-cowboy-millionaire.
Then he meets Tom Brady.
Peter loses his mind, gets hammered, and has to sprint to the bathroom. He basically tackles half the room to get to the toilet. Brady is so impressed by this "raw power" that he recruits Peter to be the starting center for the New England Patriots.
Honestly? It’s peak Family Guy absurdity.
Why Tom Brady actually did the voice
A lot of people think the show just used a soundalike. You’ve probably seen the Reddit threads where fans argue about whether it’s really him because his voice sounds a little... stiff? But no, that is 100% Tom Brady.
Interestingly, the writers originally wanted Bill Belichick for the episode. Could you imagine Belichick doing a table read for Seth MacFarlane? Neither could he, apparently. He turned it down. The producers had to ask Brady multiple times before he finally agreed to poke fun at himself.
The "Shipoopi" Incident and the London Sillinannies
The real meat of the Tom Brady Family Guy lore is Peter’s downfall. He gets too cocky. After scoring a touchdown, he performs a massive, choreographed version of "Shipoopi" from The Music Man.
Brady is not amused.
The team gets fed up with Peter’s showboating and trades him to the "London Sillinannies." It’s a ridiculous, stereotypical British team where the players have pillow fights in nightshirts.
Specific details you might have forgotten:
- Jay Leno makes a cameo just to prank call Brady.
- Stewie becomes a bookie and nearly kills Brian over $50.
- Brady actually delivers a sincere "good job" to Peter at the end, even after Peter tries to use steroids on the British team.
It’s rare to see Brady play the "straight man" to Peter’s chaos, but he nailed the deadpan delivery.
Why the "Tom Brady Kiss" joke took over the internet
If you fast-forward about a decade, Family Guy didn’t stop at one episode. They kept coming for him. The show has this long-running habit of jumping on whatever weird thing a celebrity does in real life.
Remember that 2018 documentary Tom vs. Time?
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There was a scene where Brady kissed his son on the lips for a little bit too long for the internet’s comfort. Family Guy didn't miss a beat. They did a cutaway where Peter wakes Chris up just to give him a "Tom Brady kiss."
It was uncomfortable. It was biting. It was exactly what the show does best.
The Trump Hat and the Locker Room
In later seasons, the show got even more pointed. They did a bit where Peter and Quagmire hide in Brady’s locker just to watch him shower. While they’re in there, they find a "Make America Great Again" hat.
Quagmire tells Peter, "Don't look at the Trump hat, look at his [redacted]."
This was a direct reference to the real-life 2015 controversy when reporters spotted a MAGA hat in Brady’s locker. It shows how the Tom Brady Family Guy relationship shifted from "football hero cameo" to "social satire target."
Evolution of the Cameo: From Hero to Punchline
The way the show treats Brady tells you everything you need to know about his career trajectory.
- 2006: He’s the untouchable hero who helps Peter find his "talent."
- 2010s: He’s the guy who is "too perfect" and has a weirdly pristine life.
- 2020s: He’s the target of jokes about aging, his diet, and his family dynamics.
Even Rob Gronkowski got in on the action later in the 2017 episode "Gronkowsbees," but it never quite hit the same heights as the original Brady episode.
What to watch next if you’re a fan
If you want to see Brady actually lean into the comedy, his appearance in Ted 2 (also by Seth MacFarlane) is arguably funnier than the Family Guy episode. He plays a "divine" version of himself that Ted and John try to... well, let’s just say they want his DNA.
Actionable Takeaways for Superfans
If you’re looking to revisit this era of the show or the QB's comedy career, here’s the play:
- Watch Season 4, Episode 20: "Patriot Games" is the definitive Brady episode.
- Compare the Voice: Listen to Brady in 2006 versus his recent Fox Sports broadcasting. You can really hear the "media training" kick in over those 20 years.
- Check the Credits: Look for Troy Brown and Bob Costas, who also voiced themselves in that same episode.
- Skip the "Sillinannies" sequence: Unless you really love 1950s musical theater references, the "Shipoopi" scene goes on for a long time.
Whether you love him or hate him, the Tom Brady Family Guy connection is a weird, hilarious bridge between the NFL and adult animation that we probably won't see again now that he's retired.