Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady 'ready to go' after 11-day absence

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Speaking for the first time since his 11-day absence tending to what have been described as "personal matters," Tom Brady said Saturday that it was not difficult to step away from the team.

All of it is personal. Brady said that everyone has different situations to deal with. All of us have unique challenges in our lives. I'm 45. A lot of things are happening. You have to figure out the best way to live. There is a continuous process.

Brady was asked if he was able to address the issues he needed to address during his time away and if he was in a better place now.

Brady thanked the Bucs for allowing him to take the extended absence so close to the start of the season. Rumors that he wanted to play somewhere else were shot down by him.

Brady said that coming to this organization has been an amazing experience and that he has been supported for a long time. I read all the stories about where I was supposed to go, but never did. I was only going to go to this place. This organization knows that.

UFC president Dana White said last week that Brady was going to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Buccaneers in 2020, with White saying Brady was looking for a home in Vegas.

Brady's agent, Don Yee, was contacted by Stephen Ross, the owner of the Miami Dolphins, about joining their organization. Ross was fined over a million dollars. Brady didn't face any punishment.

I chose the right place for all of the conversations we had. Everyone has worked hard to make the relationship work. The owner/co-chairman has been great. A good friend of mine is the general manager. All the coaches. If I didn't have the opportunity to come down here and experience this part of my football life, it would probably be incomplete. I'm happy with the outcome.

Brady started against the Colts after practicing for three days. The goal was to get him some time. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 44 yards.

Brady completed six straight passes, including a 20-yard completion to Jones, after incompletions to Johnson and Evans. It was the first time that almost all of the starting offense played together.

White said it was smooth. "Tom's Tom," said the man. Our leader is him. Everything we want from him. He is our leader. It was great to see him again. He is an icon.