Most Super Bowl wins? Check. Most games won by a quarterback? Check. However, setting records isn’t what makes Tom Brady the greatest of all time – it’s his attitude and ability to inspire.
In his first Super Bowl appearance, the score was tied 17-17, and the New England Patriots had just gotten the ball back deep in their own territory with a little over a minute left.
TV commentator and former coach John Madden recommended the Patriots take it safe, let the clock run out and “play for overtime.”
Except Brady didn’t take Madden’s advice and led the Patriots down the field into field goal range.
Brady didn’t play it safe. He believed in himself, his team and won the game.
To his credit, Madden later acknowledged Brady’s budding greatness right before the winning kick, when he told viewers on Fox, “What Brady just did gives me goosebumps.”
Brady’s attitude is unparalleled. He always feels that he needs to prove himself, walking around with a chip on his shoulder.
Brady was picked in the sixth round of the NFL draft, going 199th overall.
Even New England picked six other players before grabbing their future star quarterback.
The intention was for him to be Drew Bledsoe’s backup.
Brady mostly rode the first season on the bench, before getting his chance to prove himself when Bledsoe went down with an injury.
Even in college, he had to fight for his starting job.
Michigan’s coach, Lloyd Carr, would start Brady in the first quarter, his teammate, Drew Henson, would start the second and then Carr would pick who would play the second half.
It was at Michigan when Brady began to show off his knack for fourth quarter comebacks.
He doesn’t let the fact that he’s losing ever get inside of his head, regardless of how bad the odds are stacked against him.
There was no clearer display of that mentality than in Super Bowl LI, when Brady led the Patriots to an overtime victory after being down 28-3 midway through the third quarter.
And for a now six-time Super Bowl champion, he’s rather down to earth too.
Other Patriot players have shared stories about how Brady always comes over to introduce himself to new players – even though everyone already knows exactly who he is.
His attitude is an ideal one that all NFL players should aspire towards – and that’s what makes him so great.
His greatness is infectious and evident in his ability to make players around him better.
Take Randy Moss for example. The starting wide receiver was struggling after sustaining several injuries and being traded to the Oakland Raiders.
He joined the Patriots in 2007, and was a key difference maker in their undefeated regular season.
Despite being the fourth oldest active player in the league, Brady’s age has barely changed his performance.
Tight end Dwayne Allen told USA Today, “It’s inspiring to play [with Tom Brady], because even at the age of 41 – the way he goes about his craft, the way that he writes notes, the way that he challenges others to be great is inspiring.”
Brady is one the few quarterbacks in league history to be named a four-time Super Bowl MVP.
While critics are quick to point out the Patriots’ infamous postseason controversies such as “Spygate” and “Deflategate,” the San Mateo native has handled all the skepticism with grace and class.
“We love the haters,” Brady told a young fan during Super Bowl media day in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on Jan. 28.
“We love them back because we don’t hate them back,” added Brady.
After a big regular season win, other players noted that instead of celebrating on the plane ride home, Brady was watching footage of the game, to see how he could improve.
Such dedication and attention to detail was evident on Sunday when Brady threw the 10 passes and threw for over 141 yards to propel New England to its sixth Super Bowl title.
There’s no question that Brady is the greatest of all time on paper, his stats are far and beyond everyone else’s.
But it’s the intangibles that make him truly great – the drive to be better, the self-confidence and the inspiration he gives everyone else.
For Brady fans, this story is far from over.