Watching NFL players on Sundays, we tend to forget that they are people just like you and me. Sure, they may be more famous and make more money, but at the end of the day, they have family, friends and real-life obligations like the rest of us.
Even so, it’s still hard to view a guy like Tom Brady as just your average Joe. Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game, left the New England Patriots this offseason after a 20-year run that produced nine Super Bowl appearances and three regular season MVPs. Now in Tampa Bay, Brady is looking to continue his streak of success and help return the Buccaneers to the postseason for the first time since 2007.
But, if you think Brady is concerned at all about his legacy and how leaving New England may affect it, think again. Appearing on The Howard Stern Show this week, Brady spoke about his departure from the Patriots, and said he’s never cared about what his legacy is, or will be, when it’s all said and done.
Per Brady:
“I never cared about legacy. I could give a s—- about (legacy). I never once when I was in high school did I think ‘Man, I can’t wait for what my football legacy looks like.’ That’s not me, that’s not my personality.”
As for why Brady decided to leave New England? Well, according to him, it was just time for a change.
“Why would I choose a different place? It’s because it was just time. I don’t know what to say other than that. I accomplished everything I could in two decades with an incredible organization, an incredible group of people, and that will never change. No one can ever take that away from me. No one can take those experiences or Super Bowl championships away from us.”
This line is probably the most telling: “I don’t know what to say other than that.” Again, Brady is human just like the rest of us. 20 years is a long time to be at one job. It was just time for a new challenge. Simple as that. Nobody can fault Brady for wanting to try something new, not even Patriots fans.
[lawrence-related id=30422,30417,30406,30400]