Cameron Brate Is No Johnny Football

May 11th, 2016
(Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.)

(Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.)

It was widely known that former Bucs cornerback Leonard Johnson lived at his child home in Clearwater while playing for Tampa Bay.

Johnson performed chores, had to keep his room tidy, etc.

Enter Harvard man Bucs tight end Cameron Brate.

After two NFL campaigns, including a breakout season last year, (23 catches, 288 yards, three touchdowns) Brate decided to forgo the bachelor lifestyle many 24-year-old players enjoy.

What did Brate do this offseason? He headed back to mom and dad.

“I was back home in Chicago, just living with mom and dad. Mom would cook me dinner,” Brate said. “I would workout during the day. Try to take care of my body and be ready for this year, try to work on my fitness … try to take advantage of that in the passing game a little bit.”

It’s safe to say Brate is no Johnny Football, preferring to spend his winter living a Brady Bunch lifestyle.

Brate said he returned to Tampa a little bit early, prior to the team reporting in mid-April, and got in a few throwing sessions with America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.

Brate is a quite a wild card this season. Remember, he finished 2015 as the No. 2 tight end, and Dirk Koetter openly praised the organic chemistry Brate had with Jameis. That was contrasted by the lacking chemistry Koetter said existed between Jameis and Mike Evans.

51 Responses to “Cameron Brate Is No Johnny Football”

  1. The Real Malloy Says:

    I see absolutely no reason why ASJ should start any higher than 3rd on the depth chart. This kid was a playmaker last year and Stocker has slowly become incredibly reliable and he’s also a beast in the running game…

  2. James Walker Says:

    Saves on that rent too. $600,000 only goes so far these days.

  3. D-Rome Says:

    Many millennials and their parents don’t want to cut the cord. He makes on average $550,000 a year. After taxes he’s probably netting somewhere around $320,000 a year/$27,000 a month. You mean to tell me he doesn’t want to find a modest apartment in town for around $1200 a month and reliable transportation? It’s commendable for any athlete to save money but mom should have stopped cooking for him years ago.

  4. Pawel Says:

    I am positive ASJ is thinking about girls and his head is caught up in the dating scene. I mean has anyone heard him work on his craft?

  5. brandonbucsfan Says:

    Real Malloy-tend to agree with you. I don’t think DK and staff will feel hindered by where someone was drafted under Lovie. Still have a feeling Vitale will be more of a passing weapon than Stocker but Luke is still the best blocker we have. ASJ NEEDS a good camp or he’s probably trade bait or gone. Remember we still have 3 spots to carry at QB since MG is still here.

  6. Defense Rules Says:

    I chuckle when I read articles like this Joe … “Cameron Brate is No Johnny Football”. Uh no, not in the slightest. Harvard graduate with more accolades for academic and sports achievements in both high school and college than I’ve ever seen. Obviously putting his bachelor’s degree in Economics to very good use and saving his money (can’t exactly say the same for Johnny Football). Heck, one day Cameron will probably own the Bucs and everyone will say ‘How’d that happen?’

  7. Buccfan37 Says:

    Lots of grown up young people are living with their parents today. Some are close families, others for financial reasons. I don’t see anything wrong with that. It’s a tough job market out there and good luck finding a living wage job that covers the actual cost of living. That’s not peddling fiction.

  8. Warren Says:

    Jeezz…are people actually bagging on this kid for being raised right and staying close to his family? He spends more than half the year away from home and probably missing mom’s cooking or spending time with his parents. As someone who doesn’t have the closest relationship with my parents, more power to you Brate

  9. ManzielMadness Says:

    @Buccfan37
    I agree, and the cost of living goes up approximately 2% a year. I wish my salary did too lol

  10. 813bucboi Says:

    smart move on his part….continue to be humble and work of his craft….very mature young man…these are the type of players that need to be signed to an extension….someone smart humble mature and gets better every week….GO BUCS!!!

  11. CreamsicleBananaHammock Says:

    Are we seriously criticizing a 23 yr old kid for spending the summer living at home and working out?

    You people are nuts

  12. Kevin Says:

    ASJ has to earn his spot back atop the depth chart. No doubt jis talent level can be there, but if hes not puting the work in his azz can stay on the bench.

    Tell ya right now, anyone that doesnt fall in line and show they want to be here will be shown the door. Thats how good teams operate.

  13. K2 Says:

    Why do people hate ASJ…if he’s healthy he is the best TE on our team (and it’s not even close)! He started great last year before the injury…hopefully he has a breakout year. I like Brate too. He and ASJ would be a great one two punch.

  14. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Speaking for Pablo

    “No, Brate is no Yonny Futbol……Brate likes to spend time with his Madre & Padre….Pablo thinks this has nothing to do with Pesos”

  15. pick6 Says:

    Brate could easily be a Jason Witten type, a product of hard work and just enough physical talent. Just get to the right spot on the field, catch the ball when it’s thrown to you, and do your part in the run game and you can have a great career at the TE position. it’s nice to imagine what players like ASJ can be, but even though these bulked up WRs and basketball players can create matchup nightmares, they always seem to wear down from the physicality demanded of classic TEs

  16. iamabuc Says:

    ASJ has proven he is beast in the field when healthy…..now he has to prove he is not made of “glass “.

  17. d-roca Says:

    D-rome
    Some families actually like spending time with each other. Gota take advantage of moms cooking before you lose her. Not sure why you or anyone would have a problem with that. I suppose people are just critical to be critical. I love it, go brate go bucs

  18. Dave Says:

    Best all around Te they have.
    ASJ Hopefully becomes the dynamic past catch her this year
    Stocker is the blocker but may be the odd man out next year if Brahe and vitale pan out.

  19. Rod Munch Says:

    How you turn 18 and get out of high school and still live at home I have no idea. I had to go full time to college while working full time and sharing a one bedroom apartment with 2 other people. I actually liked my home but I was raised to when I turned 18 to get out and start doing things on my own. I don’t understand the mindset to where you think it’s not only not embarrassing to live at home but you actually talk about it like it’s a positive. These Generation Glee’ers I don’t get at all, but they wouldn’t be that way if their Gen X parents didn’t raise them to that way.

  20. BucTrooper Says:

    BRATE?

    You mean “Bucs starting TE?”

  21. SB with Jameis Says:

    You can’t teach athletic and you can’t teach intelligence. This kid has em both in Spades. I love Smart football players! If ASJ can’t stay healthy this yr. then I am done with the experiment.

  22. Pickgrin Says:

    Johnny Football eh? Oh right – the EX-NFL quarterback who is such a mess that he might be out of the league completely only 2 years after being a 1st round pick.

    Its pretty hard to forget how hard Joe whined, cajoled, pleaded, demanded and pounded the table day after day after day, post after post after post for the Bucs to draft this loser with the #7 overall pick just 2 years ago.

  23. USFBUC Says:

    @Rod – maybe he just likes his parents, it’s nit like he lives there full time. I’m 34 and still go to my parents and hang out and if my Mom happens to be cooking I stay for dinner. When I lived outside of the US and would take a vacation I would take a month and stay with my parents so I could spend time with them.

  24. SB with Jameis Says:

    I would give alot to have spent more time with my parents when I finally didn’t need them anymore. Just sayin’

  25. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    And who’s to say he isn’t giving his family $?? Some of you just like to assume the worst for some reason.

  26. Owlykat Says:

    Brate has much better hands then ASJ, is much smarter, and works much harder. Yes ASJ has more potential, but I will take proven production any day to unrealized potential. Trade ASJ if he does’ reach his potential this year.

  27. Buc1987 Says:

    I have two. TWO brother-in-laws that STILL live with their parents. One’s 37 the other is 35.

    That’s the state of America.

  28. ATrain Says:

    What has ASJ done to deserve a starting position???

    Brate caught passes, and took some big hits…

    Brate is the Man..ASJ can prove something by staying on the field.

  29. Buc1987 Says:

    Pickgrin…it should also be stated that Joe mentioned after the draft that JF probably wouldn’t do well in Cleveland. Said the Browns are where QB’s go to die. Something like that.

    Although Johnny did all this stuff on his own.

  30. TouchDownTampaBay Says:

    So predictable. As soon as I read the article I knew all the ASJ haters were gonna start bashing him. He is twice as talented as Brate. Hope he makes all you bitter people eat your words this season. GMC, ASJ, M Evans just get tons of hate from this fan base. They should all leave Tampa and get away from these miserable fans.

  31. SOEbuc Says:

    Why would people have a problem with him going back home and haven his mom cook him dinner? I love my momma’s cooking also Cam. Brate has become one of my young favorites on the team and I hope he has a wonderful 2016 season

  32. Rod Munch Says:

    Wow it’s amazing to me the people that find no issues living at home well beyond 18, its such an odd mindset to be OK with that. Part of being an adult is doing thing on your own, living at home, in particular if you’re sponging off your parents – which I’m sure he’s not doing – is just disgusting behavior to me, generally caused by an overbearing mother or a lazy kid who is scared to do anything alone. Has nothing to do with being happy or not at home, it’s about growing up.

  33. Buc1987 Says:

    TouchDownTampaBay…lmao. Great post!

  34. SB with Jameis Says:

    Reading your post Rod I must say that I feel that you have a very myopic view of what Family Life should be.

  35. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    We don’t know all the facts…….perhaps one of his parents has a fatal illness….he’s not living there year-round…..perhaps they begged him to stay with them….maybe he has a girlfriend in his home town….who knows….

    Maybe Manziel should have lived with his parents….

  36. Tackleblockwin Says:

    Why do so many fellow Bucs fans enjoy jumping to conclusions when offered only minor details? I just can’t figure it out. And even worse, the fans that race to ludicrous, off the wall, conclusions when given plenty of details that support an opposing position.

  37. Sunny Says:

    Asj is 100 times better than brate time will tell , if just needs to stay healthy , gmc had a rough start to his career with injuries too

  38. Dave Says:

    Some of You do not like him with his parents. Some of you commend it.
    I don’t care what he does as long as it makes him better.
    Personally, I could not live back home once I left for college. That’s crazy to me

  39. SB with Jameis Says:

    Hindsight is 20/15 when it comes to realizing what means the most.

  40. Rod Munch Says:

    Calm down people, not condemning the guy for living with his parents, just saying it’s a very odd mindset for why you’d do that as an adult and actually own up to it. It’s a Generation Glee deal, the 30 and under crowd seem to be fine living at home – as in they have no shame having their mom washing their dirty sheets and cleaning their toilet for them when they’re 27. It’s very odd to me, there was some sort of weird generational shift somewhere along the lines. Because you leave home when you’re 18 doesn’t mean you hate your parents, it just means you’re an adult and it’s time to start your life. To me it’s better to do that at 18, to screw up then as opposed to when you’re 35 and don’t even know how to get your electricity turned on. I mean are you at home at 24 doing drugs, getting drunk, doing chicks with your parents the next room over? Again just a very odd deal, it’s not my thing.

  41. SB with Jameis Says:

    Rod, the situation you are trying to juxtapose your original statement against makes no sense. This guy Graduated from frickin Harvard!. He could probably get a job with Google for more than the Bucs are paying him. If he goes back to his family for a bit it is not “weird” in Any way. He is not cashing in his chips and going back to his mom’s basement. Maybe, just Maybe he realizes that he hasn’t had very many quality moments with his parents since he started out at Harvard and now he gets a monty or two with the Parents that helped Almost become what he dreamed to be……………..I am not trying to be argumentative but LIFE is about “Family, Friends, and Laughter”

  42. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    James Wilder (Age 58.000) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

  43. Rrsrq Says:

    TouchdownTampaBay, I agree

    I said that last week, the reason Shaquille Oneal left Orlando because the fans said he wasn’t worth it, this fan base aren’t ride and die with their players, instead of wanting to win with everyone we got, they want to pick and choose, even if the rest of the league recognizes the talent of players like, ASJ, ME and GMC. Those guys would be picked up so quick

  44. Bob in Valrico Says:

    @rod munch
    you have formed a lot of opinions and usede cameron Brate as an example.Only problem is you know nothing of Cameron Brate and his family.

  45. Joehelldeloxley Says:

    What I read in this article is the guy went to live with his parent to get himself ready and then do that:

    “Brate said he returned to Tampa a little bit early, prior to the team reporting in mid-April, and got in a few throwing sessions with America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.”!

    And you are blaming him for that ???? Seriously ??? Which kind of fan are you ???

    You should be be praising him instead ! This is the kind of attitude I want our players to have !

    It’s like when Iread that Mike Evans and JW3 worked together to improve their connections, without coach, and so on ! This is what will make the difference !

    Be happy about it instead of evaluating the salary of the guy and the cost of a flat !!

  46. DemBoyzFromDaBay727 Says:

    Well said TD Tampa Bay,

    I’ve never seen or heard of a fan base that does nothing but take shots and bash there best players. It’s mind boggling really. I can’t wait till GMC is gone so ppl can realize how much he ment to this team. There will be no one to command double teams and still get 8-9 sacks single handedly.

    Players do not choose to get I jure either, ASJ can’t help that he’s been hit with injury most of his time hear. When he was healthy he showed off his athleticism and skillz. It’s nice to have a Brate as a backup but let’s not get carried away ppl. He’s not on ASJ’s at all and had a small breakout season. Let’s see him do it on a consistent basis before we start talking about contract extension’s 813. I agree about ASJ needing to put up or shut up this season, hopefully he can stay healthy because if he does he can become a HUGE target for Jameis. Then u could start rolling out the 2 TE formations.

  47. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    “After two NFL campaigns, including a breakout season last year, (23 catches, 288 yards, three touchdowns)…” – Joe

    How is THAT a breakout season?????

    All that did is earn him a chance to compete this year.

    Show me 600+ yards and 50 catches and 6 TDs and I’ll agree it is a breakout year.

    At this point, he has little chance to make the final roster, unless they let Stocker or ASJ go.

  48. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    The Real Malloy Says
    “I see absolutely no reason why ASJ should start any higher than 3rd on the depth chart.”

    It took Brate 14 games to get those numbers.

    ASJ topped those numbers in 7 games last year.

    That’s why ASJ should be higher on the depth chart.

    However, this is his prove it year. If he doesn’t stay healthy and produce this season, then ASJ should be shown the door.

  49. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Well at least we didn’t draft Eric Ebron – like so many on this blog suggested

    Career Numbers (2014 – 2015)

    TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
    *2nd round (38th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
    • Games Started: 42
    • Receptions: 72
    • Yards: 559
    • Average: 13.3
    • TD’s: 6

    vs

    TE Eric Ebron
    *1st round (10th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
    • Games Started: 15
    • Receptions: 72
    • Yards: 785
    • Average: 10.9
    • TD’s: 6

  50. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
    *2nd round (38th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
    • Games Started: 12
    • Receptions: 42

  51. Rod Munch Says:

    Wow are people touchy about living at home until they’re 30 – I’m guessing most of the people here getting defensive about are defensive for a reason. Anywho as I said my comment is only about the mindset where it’s something you find you acceptable or embrace, it’s very odd. It’s not a judgement so calm down fellas, it’s just an observation – and a comment about how Generation Glee doesn’t really have that built in desire to do things on their own. That is a disturbing trend that starts with schools now where they teach you you’re no longer an individual, everything is about the WE and not the I.