The year 2000 marks an eventful event in the history of the National Football League. Many years ago, Tom Brady was selected in the 6th round of the NFL draft, 199th overall. Yet, in the 22 seasons, he has been with the NFL, the former New England Patriot has surpassed nearly all of his initial expectations and is now currently regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Amazingly, he shared his advice during ESPN’s Peyton’s Place.
“I don’t give a s— if you’re a first-round pick, I was 199,” the legendary quarterback recalled the start of his professional career. He went on to add the impactful words advice to all the other athletes who dream of making it big one day, “If you get the chance to be on the field, don’t mess up, because you may never get a second one.”
How did Tom Brady get to where he is today?
It is no secret that Tom Brady has a shocking work ethic, sticks to strict diets, is devoted to the gave, and overall just loves football. His ability to accurately question how he can improve has made him one of the best quarterbacks all of time, so much so that he is playing past the typical athletic lifespan.
Being a few years into his 40s, many people are still shocked to see him still dominating on the field. However, in typical Brady nature, he has no plans of slowing down until he is ready.
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In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback sat down and discussed how aging plays a role in his game. Ultimately, right now, he feels like being in his mid-40s has given him a more introspective outlook on life, believing that his words aren’t that impactful. “You think people care what you think, and then you care less what people think, and then you realize no one cared, anyway,” he shared.
Yet, he discussed the difficulties of living under pressure when the whole world is watching you and looks at you like you are a ticking time bomb. Brady stated, “I feel like I’m living two lives. My football life and then my post-football life.”
He elaborated and explained that he knows when it’ll be time for him to take a step back from the field. “I don’t want to be out there and suck. You think I want to go out there and look like I’m 44 years old? I want to look like I’m in my prime.”
Brady then went on to admit that questioning his life after football makes him want to be in the game longer. He commented, “I don’t think anything will match my football career. I think it’s too hard to replicate that level of energy and output and adrenaline. That’s kind of why I want to go until the end, because I want to make sure I don’t look back and go, ‘Man, I could still do it.’ “I don’t know where that’s going to be. I really don’t.”
