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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady smiles after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.(Photo: Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)

HOUSTON Tom Brady no longer gets a pass on his friendship with Donald Trump.

Not after this weekend, when the country boiled over in rage and indignation at Trumps decision to turn Americas back on refugees. Not after this season, when Colin Kaepernick was pilloried from coast to coast for trying to draw attention to the shortcomings of our country.

And not when hes about to command the NFLs biggest stage.

Brady and the New England Patriots arrive here Monday, a few hours before the Super Bowl Opening Night. While the event has turned into a circus this is where Brady famously got a marriage proposal from a Mexican TV reporter in a wedding dress he can expect to get some tough questions about Trump.

As well he should.

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Trumps campaign was steeped in racism, bigotry and misogyny, and he has doubled down on his hatred in his first week as president. Its left Americans across the country angry and frightened, fearful that the ideals that have made this country exceptional for more than 200 years are being abandoned.

Brady might not agree with Trumps views or his policies, as he seemed to indicate last week during his weekly appearance on WEEIs Kirk and Callahan radio show. His support might have more to do with Trumps many golf courses than the man himself.

But in refusing to publicly disavow Trump's actions, Brady is giving tacit endorsement to both Trump and the chaos he has created.

Why does that make such a big deal? Brady said when his friendship with Trump was raised. I dont understand that. I dont want to get into it, but just if you know someone, it doesnt mean that you agree with everything that they say or do. Right?

Theres things I dont believe [in], absolutely. I dont believe in, you know, theres a lot of things, Brady continued. Not to denounce anything, its just that theres different things that I feel like, you know ...I dont agree with everything. Thats fine, right?

No, its not.

There are plenty of people in the NFL owners, executives and players who are Trump supporters. But no one was as public as Brady, who had a Make America Great Again hat in his locker way back in September 2015.

Brady is not dumb, nor is the four-time Super Bowl champion and NFLs cover boy oblivious to his image. He knew the hat was going to get noticed, he knew it was going to get coverage and he was fine with it.

Its only now, when hes facing questions and criticism, that he thinks the friendship should be off limits. But it doesn't work that way. If you stake out a position, you need to own it. Or if youve had a change of heart, explain why.

If Brady needs an example of how thats done, he can look at Kaepernick.

From the day his national anthem protest became public in August, Kaepernick has been open, available and consistent with his opinion. It has not been a popular one; as the protests spread across the league, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback was portrayed as anti-American, anti-military and anti-police all of which he denies.

Hes had insults, slurs and worse directed at him. He was blamed for the drop in TV ratings early in the season. One person last week even tried to say Trumps election was partly the result of Kaepernicks protests.

It would have been easy for Kaepernick to brush off questions or say hed rather talk about football, as Brady has done. Instead, hes been eloquent in detailing his concerns over police brutality in minority communities. Hes sparked conversations and reflection in NFL locker rooms and beyond.

Regardless of whether he was duped into being a prop or is genuinely friends with Trump, Brady inserted himself into the national firestorm. He cant be surprised that people want to know more. And now expect more.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.

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Tom Brady has some explaining to do on Donald Trump - USA TODAY