3 Ways Tom Brady is Extraordinary and You Can Be Too
I’ve been a fan of New England sports teams since I was a kid. But when Tom Brady went to Tampa Bay, I started rooting for the Buccaneers.
Low expectations – high performance:
6 quarterbacks were drafted before Tom Brady.
- Chad Pennington – drafted 18th. (Played 11 seasons.)
- Giovanni Carmazzi – drafted 65th. (Never played.)
- Chris Redman – drafted 75th in the third round. (Started 12 games.)
- Tee Martin – drafted 163rd in the fifth round. (Played 3 games.)
- Marc Bulger – drafted 168th in the sixth round. (Played 9 seasons.)
- Spergon Wynn – drafted 183rd in the sixth round. (Started 3 games.)
- Tom Brady – drafted 199th in the sixth round. (Played 22 seasons.)
In the 2021 season Brady set a career high in passing yards (5,316) and led the NFL in touchdown passes (43). USA Today
3 ways Tom Brady was extraordinary – and you can be too:
#1. Rise above expectations.
No one could have expected the 199th draft pick would become the undisputed greatest quarterback of all time.
Expect more from yourself than others expect from you.
#2. Always work to improve.
Professional athletes work hard – a few work harder than the rest. Larry Bird of the Celtics, Michael Jordan of the Bulls, and Tom Brady of Tampa Bay, for examples.
“… he never lost that competitive fire to be the best.” John Elway
Of all the times I saw Brady in interviews, I can’t remember him complaining. I’ve seen him upset, but he always focused on getting better, even when his team won.
#3. Practice gratitude.
I know you’re supposed to thank your teammates when you win. But I think Brady actually meant it.
How might you follow Tom Brady’s example today?
Three wonderful ways to be a Champion NFL Quarterback and a Champion Leader, Dan! Three very simple things we must never forget and always do. Thank you so much!
Thanks for your kind words. Here’s to pressing forward.
Dan,
I have been a big Brady and Patriot’s fan for many years.
Continuous improvement is an important goal for everyone. I am going to try and practice more gratitude today. I will get specific and focus on two actions.
I think another interesting question is why do NFL teams do such a bad job determining which QB will make it in the NFL. (maybe a future post!)
Thanks Paul. I respect that you took up the challenge.
You noticed something I noticed. I wonder how successful teams are at hiring high potential players. People decisions are the toughest ones.
Malcolm Gladwell has an interesting take on the NFL’s quarterback problem.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/12/15/most-likely-to-succeed-malcolm-gladwell
Thanks Chris. Interesting article.
“In both life and football, failure is inevitable. You don’t always win. You can, however, learn from that failure, pick yourself up with great enthusiasm, and place yourself in the arena again…” Tom Brady
TB#12 uttered these words after a Superbowl loss a few years ago after his last season with the New England Patriots. He then went to Tampa to play for the Buccaneers and won the Superbowl the following year. #leadership
Thanks Beth. Wonderful quote. Tom’s performance demonstrates his ability to pick himself up. Let’s face it, a person who can’t pick themself up ends up staying down. We all stumble, fall, and fail. The focus on getting up makes all the difference.
I love your three points. I was a BIG Tom Brady & New England “hater” before Tampa Bay especially being a NY Giants fan. But when we went to Tampa Bay I saw another side to him and him personally. I always wondered about where he was spiritually and thought his remarks after the first super bowl win were telling. Since then I prayed for him even though I didn’t cheer for him. Then saw that he was great friends with Drew Breeze so thought Drew would be sharing about Jesus with Tom. He is definitely a GOAT.
Thank you for the post.
Thanks dm. You and many others are Brady/Patriot haters. I usually duck for cover when I say I’m a Patriots fan. I like Belichick, too. Although, I’m the first to say he might not be the most likable lamb in the fold. 🙂
I have no idea on Tom’s faith.
Our Sr. Pastor is a HUGE New England fan in a Baltimore Ravens region and I like him a lot. So faith and God go way beyond football for sure. Have a GREAT day!
Wyoming is now watching a young Josh Allen with the Bills. It will be interesting to see how his leadership style grows.
Thanks Nancy. It’s fun watching new talent emerge.
Wow so well said, “Rise Above Expectations”, “Always work to Improve”, and “Practice Gratitude”. It has taken a long time but I do believe I regularly practice all those. I find practicing gratitude the easiest when you get into the flow. I just look at the others I work with and wonder why they don’t practice these very simple habits. Could it be their impatience or their youth or their upbringing.