The Sports Xchange

Tom Brady, speaking publicly for just the second time since the deflated-football controversy arose, cut an upbeat figure at a charity function Tuesday in Foxborough, Mass.

Appearing at the annual preseason Patriot Premiere, the New England quarterback referenced Deflate-gate, joking, “Yeah, it’s been such an enjoyable offseason.”

Brady is awaiting word from U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Berman in New York on the appeal of his four-game suspension. The NFL ruled that he conspired with ballboys with tampering with the football used in New England’s AFC Championship Game win over the Indianapolis Colts in January.

After leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl championship in February, Brady spoke May 7 at a Salem (Mass.) State College, his only comments prior to Tuesday.

Brady lauded his co-workers Tuesday, saying, “The commitment the players make, and the commitment the coaches make to try to establish such a high level of play year in and year out is something I’ve really learned from being here. I try to pass those things on to the next generation of great Patriot players, and sometimes they don’t listen very well, but you just keep saying it — just like I tell my kids — and you have to repeat it over and over and over again and hopefully maybe it sinks in.”

Off the topic of football, Brady was asked about his preference for avocado ice cream, and he admitted to being a chocolate-chip cookie eater.