"It is not over. Champions extend their limits and make things happen.” -Amit Ra
by eric d. graham
Honestly, you can't deny Tom Brady's greatness. As much as we want to deny it. He has the "heart of a champion." He never gives up. Regardless, of the score or the situation, he, seemingly, always remains poise, focused on the bench, while mentally willing himself to find ways to win. (Even, if he has to deflate some footballs)
Because, while most of us, hate to admit it, we don't watch the Patriots to see if Brady will lose. We really watch to see how he is going to win.
Remember, we are watching a 6th round NFL draft pick, whom the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and the Minnesota Vikings all "passed" on in order to draft literally "no-names" and back-up quarterbacks such as: Chad Pennington, Giovanni Carmazzi, Chris Redman, Tee Martin, Marc Bulger, and Spergon Wynn in 2000.
This is why Brady plays with a chip on his shoulder, in my opinion.
Let's not forget, Tom once held a clipboard on the sideline for the "beloved" Drew Bledsoe before the "bone-crushing" blow delivered by the New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis, which left the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1993, with a concussion and internal bleeding.
This, unfortunately, is where the Brady Dynasty began.
And, where the Bledsoe era ended.
And, where the Bledsoe era ended.
Yes, after the Twin Towers fell, Captain America, jogged on the field like a Super Hero from a Hollywood movie to begin his heroic rein as one of the best quarterback ever to play the game.
Love him or Hate him. You have to respect him.
The NFL's contributor Don Banks remembers the Birth of Brady like this: "Things were really different for the Patriots going forward after Bledsoe's frightful injury. Brady made his first career start in Week 3, a 44-13 demolition of Peyton Manning and the Colts at home, and the rest is history.
New England went 11-3 with Brady at the helm for the remainder of the regular season, won the infamous "Tuck Rule" game against the visiting Raiders in the snow in the divisional-round playoffs, then upset the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game, thanks in large part to Bledsoe's superb second-half relief job in place of the injured Brady. It was a small consolation to Bledsoe, the displaced starter, who was back on the bench on Super Bowl Sunday in New Orleans, when the Patriots and Brady stunned the heavily favored Rams 20-17 to win the first of New England's four Lombardi Trophies."
Now, after 18 years in the NFL, five super bowl rings later, which includes last year's 34-28 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons, the 40 year old quarterback, heads to the Super Bowl for the eighth time, after conducting another comeback victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars (24-20), which he completed 26 of 38 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns to Danny Amendola, despite an injured thumb.
And, to be truthful, we, all will, be watching to see him lose against the Philadelphia Eagles, while getting mad, if he some how finds away to win another Super Bowl.
By hook or crook.
