Tom Brady’s 23-year career is one of the most celebrated story arcs in all of professional sports. Seven Super Bowl victories and a slew of individual awards have transformed him into the GOAT of football and a household name. However, maintaining his commanding presence in the NFL wasn’t always easy.
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The former New England Patriot revealed that his final years in the league were far more of a struggle than some may have realized. Playing well into his 40s was never easy, and it often resulted in Brady battling his “inner b*tch.”
Even once his back began to tighten and his deep ball passes started to fade, Brady was still determined to win that inner battle. “You always have to fight, as an athlete, that little inner b*tch in you,” he said in a recent interview, before adding how he overcame the negative voices in his mind and what he gained in the process.
“It’s always telling you, ‘It’s too hard. Today’s not your day. Time to quit.’ I was like, ‘F**k you, you inner b*tch. I’m gonna own you today.’ So you get out there and you just do it. Every time you defeat that little inner b*tch inside of you, you develop more and more resilience, more and more determination,” Brady said.
According to the Patriots legend, the process provides an initial, “short-term improvement” that will inevitably compound into a more “serious, long-term” cementing of character. In essence, consistency is king when it comes to achieving sporting greatness.
Of course, it’s not as if Brady discovered some form of esoteric knowledge. Any quality athlete is likely aware of this golden principle. There’s no cheating hard work, especially in a game that is as physically punishing as football.
Whether it’s Travis Kelce discussing his slumping performance or Nick Chubb attempting to come back from a career-threatening leg injury, all of the NFL’s most prominent personalities are inherently aware of the fact that they can seldom afford to take a day off.
After all, the league operates under a ‘next man up’ policy. There’s only so much room for complacency as it is.
Nevertheless, Brady’s conversation should probably be played in high school film rooms across the country. His words, while inspiring, also help to convey the sheer amount of sacrifice and dedication that it takes to become the greatest football player of a generation.
An intensity unlike any other, and nothing less, is required just to have a chance at making it to the NFL. And even then, nothing is guaranteed. Athletes should be well aware of the risks and rewards that come with a path long before they ever take their first step, as an informed decision is often the best one.
They may not be able to usurp Brady’s legacy, and they may not be able to compete at the age of 43. But future competitors still stand to benefit from listening to the GOAT’s advice. It’s not a strategy for the gridiron, it’s a way of life, and it has a proven track record of results as well.
