We can all think back to a time when we were told we weren’t good enough. Our world is full of criticism and hate. “You’ll never become a millionaire, you’re too short to be in the NBA, your too heavy to be a model.” This hate can really kill not only your self-confidence but your dreams. Many people are always going to try and put you down but the real question is are you going to let them?
Tom Brady is known today as the greatest quarterback of all time. With a total of nine Super Bowl appearances and winning six of them, more than any other player, he is a very familiar household name. But this success to the pro’s and becoming the most decorated football player in history didn’t just happen overnight. In fact, if we rewrote this story, again and again, it probably doesn’t turn out the way it has for Tom. The reason behind this is the rare mentality Tom carries. Resilience and power to never give up. The ability to take all the negative hate from doubters and use it as fuel.
Tom Brady was born in San Mateo California. Growing up here Tom was a three-sport athlete in high school playing football, basketball and baseball. When Tom was a freshman he was the backup QB of a JV football team that went 0-8. The team didn’t throw one touch down the entire season and they still didn’t think Tom was even good enough to get any snaps as the quarterback. But Tom felt football was made for him. He continued to practice and eventually became the starting QB for his varsity team as a senior. Senior year was no breakout season for Brady. He wasn’t a top 100 recruit or on any recruiting list even, but he did gain some attention from Michigan.
After deciding to play at Michigan, Tom was one out of seven quarterbacks competing for the starting spot. Again, Tom was overlooked during his underclassman years. Tom then began to work and said to his coach’s that he was going to prove to them that he should and will be the starter. Brady again continued to defeat all odds and battled his way into the starting quarterback job with his last 10 of 11 games being victories his junior season. Then going into his senior season more controversy occurred. Michigan signs a young quarterback by the name, Drew Henson. Henson was everything every coach wanted. He was an all-around athlete that was even drafted into the MLB right out of high school. Henson was quick, strong, smart, everything about him was made to be a star QB. Tom his senior season went into battle and competed to prove he was the best. By saving the team in multiple close games, Tom finally claimed the starting spot and took Michigan to the Orange Bowl where they ended up defeating Alabama.
Tom then continued his football career aiming to make it into the NFL. After his Pro Days where scouts can evaluate potential players, the chances of him getting drafted started to look very slim. Many drafting reports came out that Tom was too slow, scrambled out of the pocket too much, couldn’t throw a tight spiral and much much more. With the #199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft, a bit of light shined and Tom Brady was drafted to the New England Patriots. Being drafted in the 6th round, player’s chances are still very slim. Tom went into the season not really being looked at seriously but with some possible potential shown in him, the famous Bill Belichick head coach of the Patriots decided to keep Tom around as the 4th string QB. Most teams only carry three. With this exception, Tom did not take his chance for granted. After sitting on the sidelines and learning during that first season, Tom came into his second season ready to prove he is the starter.
Tom went on to being the backup QB until the starter Bledsoe got a serious injury. From here Tom took his chance and never gave the starting position to anyone to this day. With Brady keeping his strong mentality and will to never give up, he has gone on to win six Super Bowls, four Super Bowl MVP awards and has been named an NFL Pro Bowler 14 times. Still playing to this day at the age of 42 years old, Brady has paved the path for many to keep following their dreams and never let someone tell you, you can’t or your not good enough.
Unnoticed to Superstar 