Tom Brady maintains the reputation as the most decorated player in NFL history. Through his career, the future Hall of Fame quarterback can look back on a myriad of special moments. One of them was the New England Patriots’ comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51.
Tom Brady Discusses Iconic 28-3 Patriots Comeback
From Spygate to Deflategate, critics find ammunition to criticize Brady’s legacy. However, between the lines, Brady won seven Super Bowls. His 28-3 comeback over the Falcons is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest achievements.
With 8:31 remaining in the third quarter, Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan threw a six-yard pass to running back Tevin Coleman, capping off an 85-yard drive, making the lead 28-3. Brady recounted his thoughts while delivering the commencement speech at Georgetown University.
“I’m taking you inside my helmet in one of the biggest moments of my life,” Brady said. “I said to myself, ‘Don’t be a little b*tch. Go out there and fight your a** off. Whether you win or lose, fight to the end.'”
Facing a 25-point deficit, Brady saw an Atlanta defense that took away his favorite throws, especially between the numbers. As a result, Brady checked down and threw underneath. Running back James White led all receivers with 14 catches for 110 yards and scored three total touchdowns. The Patriots’ signal-caller mentioned both confidence and uncertainty.
“At that moment, we had no idea what the outcome of that game would be,” Brady continued. “But the one thing I have learned through sports is that the only time you’re sure to lose is when you quit.”
After Falcons kicker Matt Bosher kicked off, the Patriots embarked on a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Of those plays, only two were over 12 yards. On a third and eight, and with no receivers open, Brady scrambled 15 yards to keep the drive alive. After White scored, the Patriots scored on every possession. The passer used the comeback attempt as a teachable moment during his address.
“In life, in work, you’re going to get knocked down a lot. How are you going to navigate those moments? Are you going to push through the self-doubt? Are you going to face the fear? Will you work relentlessly to the very end, even when the outcome is virtually certain?” Brady added. “I hope you do. Because THIS is the prep work for the bigger opportunities to come. The whole point of doing hard things is to build resilience and the skills to overcome adversity. It’s to teach you how to find your own pathways to success.”
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While the Patriots needed to play almost flawless football, the Falcons left the door open for the comeback. For example, with under four minutes remaining in regulation, officials flagged Atlanta tackle Jake Matthews for a devastating holding call.
However, the game’s biggest miscue occurred with 8:24 left in regulation. The Falcons needed one yard to convert a third down while at their 36-yard line. Instead of running the ball, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan chose to call a pass play.
The Patriots forced a fumble, keeping the offense’s hopes alive. New England won the toss in overtime, and then White scored on a 2-yard run.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion wrapped the final part of his speech with this piece of advice: “Sometimes in life, you have to put the numbers aside and ignore the odds. You have to make the tough choice. You have to try your best and fight your hardest to win. Because the only thing worse than losing the biggest game of your life is losing respect for yourself along the way.”
Brady won two more Super Bowls, one with New England and the other with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yet, he used the comeback against the Falcons and touted it as his biggest moment.
