I know, not a baseball story today but I saw this tweet a couple of days ago when the sports found out that Tom Brady would be signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 in Foxborough. Even if you don’t watch football, Tom Brady is a name that you would immediately recognize for his incredible successes and indespiditely one of the best QB’s to ever grace a football field. It’s hard to show him love, I’m a goddamn Jets fan, but there’s no denying his talent on the field. To me a good comparison has always been Jeter for the Yankees, based on championships and a long career with the same team. There are not many athletes that have that combo on their resume and I could never have imagined Jeter on any team other than the Yankees. Just the thought of him not in pinstripes makes me cringe. I’m sure many Patriots fans have felt the way about Brady, that there was no way that he would ever not be in Patriots uniform, but you know what 2020 has been really weird. I’m going to need Sam and Dean Winchester to save the world a little faster, but that’s not our topic today.
One Brady’s idols growing up was Joe Montana and he vividly remembers the day that he no longer would don a 49er’s jersey before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact he was in attendance for the game and Montana’s farewell, so I guess it was always in the back of his mind if he would remain a Patriot his whole career. Brady knows he can still compete and want to continue playing the game he loves. Unfortunately the Patriots wanted to focus on a different path when dealing with QB in 2020 and beyond. It’s completely understandable, I’m sure they wanted Brady to come back but maybe they just wanted him more for his veteran presence. It’s hard to throw out an aging 42-year-old quarterback out there from the standpoint of a franchise that is usually Super Bowl or bust. Brady wanted to start and he knew he could find an opportunity in Tampa Bay. And it’s not like it was an easy decision, he has a whole family to think about. All those routines he’s had in Foxborough are all a distant memory as he will find himself in a completely different environment.
Like I said, if you’re a Jet fan like me, I’m sorry, you’re supposed to hate Tom Brady with every fiber of your being. He and Patriots have been bullying other teams for a while now in the AFC East. As a competitor and a gamer, I can not hate on Tom Brady. The athlete in me has to show respect when it’s due. Just as many rival teams showed Jeter respect in his final season, no matter how much you want to hate the guy, you can’t knock the fact that he’s one of the best to ever do it. And what did the the three time league MVP, six time Super Bowl, and foru Super Bowl MVP award winner have as a request for his new team? Not for control of the offense. Not for any specific player to join him. Not to wear his usual number 12. Only the phone numbers of his new teammates. I love that. How humble of a guy can you be. Brady just want to continue playing the game he loves. No specific requests, just the ability to connect with his new teammates. He knows that he has to earn respect of the new guys on his team, some who are going to be 20 years younger and many who had a poster of him on their wall. I think he will have no problem building relationships, he’s done more than enough to earn the respect of any locker room.
“I know for a lot of us, things in life can change and you’ve gotta be able to adapt and evolve. With each of those changes comes different opportunities to learn and grow. That’s where I’m at,”
Brady on his new situation via espn.com
Brady’s mindset is one that knows nothing last forever, you can’t build success if you fear the unknown. In Brady’s head he as to earn the respect of his coaches and teammates with his performance on the field, but he such no such stranger to adversity. In the 2000 NFL draft Brady was selected 199th overall in the sixth round, with 6 other QBs taken before him. I look forward to seeing Brady compete with his new team and hope he is successful, just not against the Jets. You can’t hate this man’s work ethic or mindset But I still don’t think I will ever get used to seeing him in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey. I leave you with a clip, of Tom Brady playing golf with the boys from Entourage. Always remember, Gisele cooks.
The Washed Up Athlete 