Tom Brady is now globally recognized as the symbol of American football and widely regarded as the NFL’s GOAT. As the leader of the most dominant dynasty the league has seen in the Super Bowl era, Brady played at an elite level until age 45 and built a legacy of dedication and perseverance that still defines how he’s viewed today.
But it wasn’t always that way. Brady is famously known for being the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots and wasn’t considered a high-potential prospect. Part of that may have stemmed from the fact that he started playing football late. The former quarterback revealed the real reason his mother didn’t allow him to play the sport until high school.
How Tom Brady’s Protective Mom Helped Forge a GOAT Mentality
In any sport, the earlier an athlete starts, the better the odds of success, especially when coming from a family of athletes with early exposure to multiple sports and a strong training mindset. But in Brady’s case, he grew up under heavy protection until high school, when he was finally allowed to play football.
During the grand opening of The Hall of Excellence in Las Vegas, Brady shared how his mother, Galynn, kept him away from football in his younger years.
“My mom didn’t let me play football until I was a high school freshman. She didn’t want her little boy to get hurt. I was the youngest of four with three sisters who were all better athletes than I was at the time. And I always wanted to be known as something different than Maurine, Julie, and Nancy’s little brother,” Brady said.
Galynn’s protective instincts delayed her son’s start in football, but it didn’t stop him from becoming one of the most successful players in NFL history. In fact, the drive to catch up may have shaped Brady’s mindset into what it is today.
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The former quarterback and now minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders also revealed that being seen as just the “younger brother of his sisters” lit a fire to rewrite that identity.
“And I wrote an essay in high school that said, ‘You know, one day they’re going to be known as Tom Brady’s sisters.’ And I wasn’t much of a student. I focused a lot on my P.E. grades. My English wasn’t always the best, but I think that was one of the better grades that I got.”
Brady’s relationship with his family has always been rooted in deep gratitude. He once referred to his father as his hero during an interview ahead of the 2017 Super Bowl. That same year, his mother overcame a battle with cancer and was able to attend the game following the historic comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons to celebrate her son’s victory.
The support system Brady’s family built gave him the foundation to fully focus on football once the opportunity came. From there, he made the most of it, winning seven Super Bowls, earning three NFL MVP awards, and retiring as the greatest player the game has ever seen.