This upcoming Sunday, Tom Brady will play in his 10th Superbowl to win his 7th ring. Tom Brady is considered the greatest football player of all time and still plays at a high level at 43. With Tom Brady and the Buccaneers taking on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the Superbowl, here are 5 lessons we can learn from Tom Brady’s career.
- Greatness is a team effort.
Tom Brady clearly has an incredible number of championship rings, but he knows that it isn’t all about him. He praises his teammates and recognizes the work they do to make him look good. He had one of the greatest coaches of all time, Bill Belichick, during his time in New England. Their combination and teamwork helped lead the Patriots to 6 titles during Brady’s time with the Patriots. Every great individual has a team, coach, family, and friends that elevate him or her into the spotlight.
2. People will underestimate you.
You don’t need to be the top recruit or first-round draft pick to be the best at your sport or career. Tom Brady was drafted 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. If you watch Tom Brady’s combine highlights, he sure doesn’t look like the future GOAT. People will underestimate your ability, and you may not be at the top of the list. If you put in hard work and dedication and take advantage of opportunities, you can achieve more than people expect.
3. Do what is best for you.
Many fans expected Tom Brady to finish his career as a New England Patriot, but he shocked the world by signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency last year. After a long ride with the New England organization, he had a strained relationship with Bill Belichick and needed a fresh start somewhere else. Brady picked Tampa Bay for his family and because he wanted to change teams. He ultimately made the decision that was best for him and his family and led a struggling franchise to a Superbowl appearance.
4. People will predict your downfall.
Haters will be quick to predict your downfall. 5-6 seasons ago, almost every football analyst predicted that Tom Brady would not compete at a high level again because he was 37-38 years old. He went and showed everyone wrong by winning championships in 2015, 2017, and 2019. He defied Father Time and kept crushing the competition into his early 40s. People will be quick to count you out, but their words don’t need to affect you. When you know what you bring to the table, ignore the people who don’t believe in you.
5. Be comfortable with pressure.
You become elite from practicing in the most impactful circumstances. Tom Brady is playing in a record, 10th Superbowl. He knows the feeling of the bright lights and over-the-top media surrounding the big game. From consistent success, he knows how to handle the spotlight. If you want to succeed on the biggest stage, put yourself in moments of pressure. The more you experience the bright lights, the better you will handle the moment over time.
I appreciate you.
-JP
If you liked this post you should check out 7 lessons from Michael Phelps: https://jaredpeters.co/2019/08/12/michael-phelps-8-12-19/