Is 80 For Brady based on a true story? Where is the group now?

The ‘80 for Brady’ is a sports comedy film directed by Kyle Marvin, starring Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Morena, and Sally Field in the lead roles.

The plot follows four elderly women who are die-hard fans of the New England Patriots and the team’s star player, Tom Brady. Therefore, they embark on an adventure to watch their favorite football star playing in Super Bowl LI in Houston.

However, the group goes through a lot of challenges along the way, and their friendship is also tested. The four women’s passion and dedication must have made the fans wonder whether the story is true or not.

Let’s find out

1. Is 80 for Brady based on a true story?

Yes, 80 for Brady is inspired by a true story of four of the New England Patriots and more specifically, former quarterback Tom Brady’s-biggest fans.

The Kyle Marvin directorial title refers to American Football player Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr, better known as Tom Brady. He played in the National Football League for 23 Seasons. Although, Brady is not the focus of the film’s story and only plays a minor supporting part in it.

The film is loosely inspired by the lives of the five Massachusetts women in their 80s and explores their die-hard passion for Brady and the New England Patriots. The group dubbed themselves the “Over 80 for Brady” fan club. 

However, the film is not a direct adaption of actual events. The Over for 80 for Brady fan club’s story only serves as the foundation for the movie’s premise. Furthermore, the film’s plot is primarily fictional and heavily deviates from reality.

Firstly, the film’s iteration of the women who are Brady fans is only remotely reminiscent of the real ladies, with the character names being changed. Moreover, the group only consists of four friends in the movie instead of five. There is a possibility that the makers amalgamated Pat and Anita into a single character for creative reasons.

The film follows Lou, Trish, Maura, and Betty as they embark on a quest to watch their favorite player in Super Bowl LI. But in reality, the Over 80 for Brady did not make it to the sporting event held in 2017.

Similarly, some other incidents in the film are not anecdotes pulled from the lives of the actual five women. One such example is the women competing in a hot-wing eating contest and posing as backup dancers for the Super Bowl’s halftime show.

2. The Real 80 For Brady Club Explained

The real 80s for Brady club was made up of five women, Elaine, Betty, Anita, Pat, and Claire who had been friends for over 70 years. The friends had always been football fans.

They came together and bonded even more once they were widowed over their love for the New England Patriots, and in particular Tom Brady. The friends got together each week to watch Brady and the Patriots and their dedication led them to nickname their group the “Over 80 For Brady” club.

The group initially started with Elaine and Betty, then Anita joined and soon Claire and Pat formed the full group. Appearing on CBS Sunday Morning, the group revealed that they had always been friends but their bond further strengthened over the football weekends.

The “Over 80 For Brady” club became such a big moment in their lives that Betty’s grandson even made them matching T-shirts.

3. Did the real 80 For Brady Club ever go to a super bowl?

The main premise for 80 For Brady is the group’s ambition to go to the Super Bowl. The goal of the 80s For Brady club is supported by telling the story of their friendship and providing heart-warming comedy.

The main plot is to see the 2017 Super Bowl which they do manage to achieve and see Tom Brady and the Patriots victorious. The real “Over For Brady” club never went to the Super Bowl and preferred to support the Patriots from home.

They claimed that the night games were too late for them and thus they were not bothered about trekking to the Super Bowl.

4. Did The Real 80 For Brady Club meet Tom Brady?

Tom Brady’s own production company, 199 Productions, picked up 80 For Brady and cast the stars of the successful Grace and Frankie. This was ironically at the time when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady sent the ladies a video message when 80 For Brady was greenlit telling them how he was involved with creating the 80 For Brady story. Betty revealed how stunned the group was by receiving Brady’s message and could not believe he would be telling their story.

Betty and Elaine were also able to attend a private screening of 80 For Brady which the other ladies could unfortunately not attend.

Brady along with producing the film also has a small cameo where he meets the ladies, which consisted of two days of filming with all the stars. Despite this, and private screening and video message, the real “Over 80 For Brady” club have not met its hero, but it is still on their bucket list.

Elaine and Betty expressed their wish to see him before they die and said they “better hurry up!” so hopefully following the release of 80 For Brady they can meet him.

5. Where is the 80 Fir Brady Club now?

The 80 For Brady Club are still big New England Patriots fans, although they are unable to watch together like they used to. Unfortunately, Claire has passed away and Anita and Pat reside in assisted living facilities restricting their ability to attend the private premiere.

Betty and Elaine continue the “Over 80 For Brady” club and get together for Patriots games, and even support Brady still at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

6. How the Real 80 for Brady Club inspired a movie?

80 For Brady, distributed by the ever-successful Paramount, is truly a unique story. Its transference to the silver screen would not have been possible without Betty’s grandson. Betty’s grandson, Max, works in Hollywood and pitched the idea until someone was willing to develop it.

Thankfully, it was Tom Brady who felt his company could tell that story. It is not just the unique story of the women’s football club that was inspiring, but Fonda notes how the film bonded her and her co-stars in 80 For Brady.