Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has usually kept his head down and let his achievements do the talking, which is why his recent run of headlines has caught people off guard. Between the public back-and-forth with Logan Paul and the fresh buzz around his love life, the 48-year-old retired NFL quarterback suddenly looks far more visible, and far more impulsive, than the Brady people are used to.

Friends familiar with him are reportedly perplexed by the changes they've witnessed. 'There's a lot of talk that he's going through a midlife crisis, and for good reason,' a source told In Touch Weekly. Those who've known Brady throughout his illustrious career are witnessing a transformation that seems fundamentally at odds with the disciplined, focused athlete they've long admired.

Brady, who established his empire through routine, dedication, and meticulous image management, now seems to be disregarding caution. His friends have been particularly troubled by the dramatic shift in his public persona, noting behaviours that would have been unthinkable during his playing days.

The mostrecentincident that set alarm bells ringing was Brady's heated exchange with Logan Paul ahead of their Fanatics Flag Football Classic showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, scheduled for Saturday, 21 March. The 30-year-old social media personality and the legendary quarterback engaged in aggressive trash talk that stunned observers.

'His friends were shaking their heads, wondering what had gotten into him,' the source says of Brady's combative appearance on the Impaulsive podcast. 'It was really out of character.' For a man who carefully cultivated a reputation for sportsmanship and professionalism throughout his two-decade NFL career, this public spat represented a jarring departure from form.

Tom Brady’s mid life crisis, unfolding in front of our eyes.#tombrady#fyp#fyppppppppppppppppppppppp#foryoupage#life

Perhaps nothing has generated more buzz than thedating rumours surrounding Brady and 25-year-old influencer Alix Earle. The seven-time Super Bowl champion was first spotted getting cosy with the social media star at a New Year's Eve party in St Barths, later reuniting at a Super Bowl bash in San Francisco.

A new video from Super Bowl weekend shows Tom Brady and Alix Earle getting cozy at a private party 🎥@backgrid_usa#alixearle#tombrady

The 23-year age gap has become a focal point of discussion, with many questioning whether the relationship reflects a deeper crisis of identity for the retired athlete. 'Some folks may think it's cool that he's now going out every weekend and being the life and soul of the party,' says the source. 'But for the vast majority of those who know Tom, it's totally bizarre and worrisome to see him behaving like a 20-something half the time.'

Inside Alix Earle and Tom Brady’s ‘Casual’ Romantic Connectionhttps://t.co/lSakwB2A46

Source: International Business Times UK