Brady’s Important Message to Incoming Rookies

Tom Brady, widely considered the greatest football player of all time, recently shared his wisdom with the next generation of NFL quarterbacks. During a luncheon hosted by Fanatic CEO Michael Rubin, six of this year's first-round draft picks had the opportunity to sit down with Brady and rap legend Jay-Z. In this extensive discussion, Brady and Jay-Z shared valuable insights on what it takes to be not just a pro, but a true professional.

We, Not Me:

One of the most impactful points Brady made was about the importance of the team. He emphasized that a prevalent issue in today’s game is young players focusing too much on themselves instead of the team.

Importance of Preparation:

Brady frequently referenced his own experiences with the Patriots. “Every day of practice is important. You know why? Because when I was with the Patriots and we had 20 years of winning, every single day was a big day. I treated a preseason game, I treated a regular-season game like it was a Super Bowl. So, when I got to the Super Bowl, it was just another day for me.” Brady reinforced this by saying, “There should be no one in life that has higher expectations for you than you.” This powerful sentiment is one that anyone can apply to their life.

Main Takeaways:

This insightful discussion between legends of the past and the youth of the future offered multiple impactful lessons. Brady’s emphasis on the importance of others, and not just oneself, applies to everyday life more often than people realize. Speaking from personal experience, there have been many times where I tried to shoulder the load alone, only to realize the importance of relying on and trusting others. I hope that Brady’s message resonated strongly with the rookies. Each of them has tremendous potential in the NFL, and if they heed Brady’s words, they can maximize that potential.