In 2023, it’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since Tom Brady and Salt Bae became a viral sensation. The meme, which features the NFL quarterback in a white t-shirt and sunglasses sprinkling salt over his shoulder like the famous Turkish chef, swept the internet in February 2018. But why did this moment become so iconic, and what has happened since then? Let’s take a closer look.

The Origin Story

The Tom Brady Salt Bae meme started with a simple Instagram post. On February 27, 2018, Brady shared a video of himself dining at Nusr-Et, a steakhouse chain owned by Salt Bae (real name: Nusret Gökçe). In the video, Gökçe approaches Brady’s table and performs his signature salt sprinkle, prompting the quarterback to imitate the move. Brady captioned the video “The only way to eat a steak… thanks @nusr_et #agenerationofchefs.”

The video quickly went viral, with fans sharing it across social media platforms and creating countless memes and parodies. The combination of Brady’s celebrity status, Gökçe’s flamboyant style, and the sheer absurdity of the salt sprinkle made for the perfect storm of internet humor.

The Legacy

So what has happened since the Tom Brady Salt Bae meme first took the world by storm? For one thing, it has become a cultural touchstone, referenced in everything from TV shows to political commentary. The meme has also spawned countless spin-offs, with celebrities and ordinary people alike imitating the salt sprinkle pose.

But perhaps the most significant legacy of the Tom Brady Salt Bae meme is the way it captured a moment in time. In early 2018, the world was in a tumultuous state, with political divisions, social unrest, and natural disasters dominating the headlines. The meme provided a brief moment of levity and escapism, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, we can still find joy and humor in unexpected places.

The Response

Of course, not everyone was a fan of the Tom Brady Salt Bae meme. Some critics argued that it trivialized serious issues and distracted from more pressing concerns. Others accused Brady of cultural appropriation, as the salt sprinkle is a traditional Turkish gesture that has significant cultural and religious meaning.

For his part, Gökçe seemed to embrace the attention, even opening a new restaurant in New York City in 2018 called Nusr-Et Burger, which featured a menu item called the Tom Brady Burger (complete with a salt sprinkle, of course).

The Lesson

So what can we learn from the Tom Brady Salt Bae meme? Perhaps it’s that even in the age of social media and constant connectivity, we still hunger for moments of connection and levity. We want to be part of a shared cultural experience, even if it’s something as silly as a quarterback sprinkling salt over his shoulder.

And maybe, just maybe, the Tom Brady Salt Bae meme can serve as a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things can bring us the most joy.

Comments From People Who Know It

Here are some comments from people who remember the Tom Brady Salt Bae meme:

• “I loved that meme! It was so funny and unexpected.” – Sarah, age 28
• “Honestly, I thought it was kind of dumb. There are bigger things to worry about than a football player sprinkling salt.” – David, age 42
• “I remember when that meme came out. It was a bright spot in a really tough year.” – Maria, age 34
• “I didn’t really get it at the time, but looking back, I can see why it was so popular. It was just so absurd.” – Alex, age 26