Tom Brady‘s run as an NFL owner is already getting interesting…and just a little bit personal. The seven-time Super Bowl champ turned part-owner of the Raiders hasn’t been shy about wielding influence, but the fans were quick to raise some eyebrows this week when former USC and UCLA wideout Kyle Ford received a rookie minicamp invite to Sin City. Ford didn’t get drafted. He didn’t sign as an undrafted free agent immediately either. But what did he have? A relationship with Tom’s softball star niece.

Maya Brady, the face of UCLA softball and now a draft pick in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, has been Uncle Tom’s favorite for years. He’s posted about her dominance, cheered for her, and even called her “the most dominant athlete in the Brady family—by far.” So when Maya posted a love-soaked “I adore you” message to Ford after his Las Vegas Bowl heroics, the online fans jumped quickly to piece 2 and 2 together.

Maybe Kyle’s move to the Raiders wasn’t all about Pete Carroll‘s support. Yes, obviously, that was one of the key factors, but also maybe the fact that Maya adores Kyle played a key role. Meanwhile, Ford’s college story is a winding one: a five-star prospect, derailed by injuries, and stuck behind bigger names at USC before a brief stop at UCLA under then-head coach Chip Kelly, who, by the way, now runs the Raiders offense.

So yes, there’s a football connection. But let’s not ignore the timing. No team looked in the direction of Trojan wideouts in the draft. No immediate post-draft calls for Ford. Then suddenly, a minicamp invite. But this latest opportunity? It smells more like a family favor than a football pipeline. Tom Brady, after all, doesn’t do subtle. Whether it’s a roast or a roster move, he goes all in.

So here we are: Kyle Ford, undrafted and unclaimed, now walking into Raiders camp with the full Brady machine behind him. But the why won’t matter as long as he delivers. And Las Vegas might have bet on a serious talent without wasting any of the picks.

Kyle Ford in Sin City: The Raiders have nothing to lose

Picture this: the lights of Vegas, a roster in flux, and a 6’2″, 225-pound wideout named Kyle Ford walking into rookie minicamp with nothing but a helmet, a playbook, and a Chip on his shoulder (literally, Chip Kelly). Tom Brady’s team didn’t draft him, and now we know they didn’t have to. They handed Ford a rookie minicamp invite, and for a player who’s fought back from multiple knee injuries, that’s more than just a shot. It’s a bet worth placing.

Ford’s resume wasn’t elite. Guess that’s why he went undrafted. But it’s not the worst. 88 career catches, nearly 1,200 yards, and 9 touchdowns over six collegiate seasons at USC and UCLA. “Blue-collar” would be too cliché—so let’s just say he’s been battle-tested. From redshirting after a knee injury in 2019 to grabbing a touchdown in the Las Vegas Bowl this past season, the guy has played through pain, depth charts, and coaching shifts. That matters in a league that chews through potential like sunflower seeds.

You want NFL-ready size… He’s got it. Built like a tight end, moves like a wideout. And yes, the Raiders just drafted two receivers and even converted a quarterback into a WR project. They drafted Tommy Mellot as a 6th-rounder QB but want him to play as a WR. And Mellott? “I am ready to contribute [wherever],” he says. Maybe that’s the attitude they expect from Ford, who’s not chasing a starting job on Day 1.

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He’s hunting for a crack in the roster. A shot at the practice squad. Maybe a flash in preseason. That’s how you stay. For the Raiders, it’s a best grab because Chip Kelly knows the boy. There might be a lot of work required. But the worst case is that he gets cut and explores other leagues or camps. Best case? Ford finds his niche in Vegas. And in a town built on longshots, who’s to say this one doesn’t cash in?