When growing up, a lot of children dream of being the star quarterback – The QB that is Mr. popular in high school and who plays at a big-time college football program and then a Super Bowl MVP. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. It is more of a dream than a reality.
Even some quarterbacks who have gone on to win Super Bowls did not have an easy time getting there. Case in point is one of the greatest QB’s to ever step on an NFL field – Tom Brady. His pathway to becoming an NFL legend was not an easy one by any stretch of the imagination.
Here are 20 amazing facts that you probably didn’t know about Tom Brady.
20. His childhood dream was simple
When Brady was at Michigan, he was talking to his roommate about what they would do if they made it big one day. His tight end roommate said he would buy a Ferrari. What was Brady’s dream? His dream was to be able to wake up every day, put new socks on and at the end of the day, throw them out.
19. He plays to win always, even during a charity
At a charity event in 2009, Brady and a few of his retired teammates were partaking in a game of pickup football. Brady was so intense that he yelled at retired NFL tight end Christian Fauria to give more effort and Fauria ended up pulling his hamstring.
18. Tom Brady was an intern for Merrill Lynch
When Brady was falling in the draft, he had a resume ready to go in case he didn’t make it in the NFL. He and his Facebook team dug out the resume years later and, of course, a pretty intern at Merrill Lynch for two summers.
17. He goes to bed at 8 PM
Most nights Brady is in bed as early as 8 PM because he likes to get up early and either work out or watch films. He does not have an alarm clock to wake him up either.
16. As a gift, Tom Brady gives every player on his team Uggs
Most people know by now that Brady is sponsored by Uggs. Although, you might not have known that every Christmas, Tom gives all his teammates a pair of Uggs, because, why wouldn’t he?
15. His only dessert is avocado ice cream
Over the past few years, Brady has completely changed his workout and diet routine to enhance his playing ability. One of the changes he has made is now the only type of dessert he will ever have is avocado ice cream.
14. Brady was in attendance at “The Catch” game
Growing up in the Bay Area, Brady’s favorite team was the San Francisco 49ers. He was in attendance for the famous “The catch game” where Dwight Clark made an incredible catch in the back of the endzone. The catch helped the 49ers beat the Cowboys in advance to the Super Bowl.
13. He doesn’t like to share
Most people know that Brady only got his chance as a quarterback because Drew Bledsoe got injured. Brady still remembers this, because during practice when he feels like the backup QB gets too many reps in a row, Brady steps in and takes over the offense.
12. Brady met Gisele on a blind date
The power couple met on a blind date through a mutual friend. According to Gisele Bündchen, it was love at first sight, which seems to be true considering they are still together today with three children of their own.
11. He was outside when he got drafted
Brady was sitting by his TV all day waiting to get drafted. Of course, he wasn’t drafted until pick 199, so it has been noted that Brady was so upset by round four that he could not sit by his television any longer and went to play baseball outside with his father. That is when Brady got the Patriots call.
10. His sister is married to baseball star Kevin Youkilis
Old Red Sox star third baseman Kevin Youkilis is Brady’s brother-in-law. Brady’s sister and Youkilis met in Boston at a Boston sporting event, which just reiterates the term small world.
9. Tom Brady’s Facebook is run by one of his best friends
Over the past few years, Brady’s Facebook pages gain notoriety. It is filled with posts that the majority of fans find clever and funny. It is not run by Brady himself though. He hired one of his best childhood friends to run it for him.
8. His old LA house had a moat
The iconic power couple had originally built a two-wing eight-bedroom house with a six-car garage and a lagoon-shaped swimming pool in Los Angeles. Of course, this house included a moat to get to their front door. They have since sold the house to Dr. Dre.
7. Baseball was his sport
Brady’s best sport growing up was baseball when it was proven by the fact that he was drafted out of high school by the Montreal Expos. He played a multitude of positions, but the catcher was his primary spot, which one could argue is somewhat similar to the quarterback.
6. Brady never made the playoffs in high school
Brady holds almost all NFL playoff statistical records, including most games started by a quarterback, but did you know that he never once made the playoffs in high school? His team’s record as junior and senior years were mediocre – six-four and five-five.
5. He pays practice players when they pick him off
Unlike other NFL QBs, Brady loves the competitiveness and hard work of the team’s practice players. He loves it so much that he pays them every time they pick him off in practice.
4. Brady didn’t play football until high school
One of the greatest QBs to ever lace them up never played football until his freshman year of high school. Besides, Brady wasn’t even the starting quarterback until his sophomore year when he only started because of an injury. Does that sound familiar?
3. His walkout song is Jay-Z’s “Public service announcement”
Having stated in the past that Tom is an avid Jay-Z, Tupac and Biggie listener. Brady loves running out of the tunnel listening to public service announcements screaming “Let’s go!” to all the fired up Patriots fans.
2. He wasn’t always the starter at Michigan
Brady had to fight for every single snap he ever took in college. Despite being a winning college QB, he was an on and off starter throughout his four years due to highly touted freshman phenom Drew Henson. We all know who won in the end, though.
1. Tom Brady had an unbelievable rookie introduction to the Patriots owner
Perhaps one of the most legendary quotes in Patriots history came after Thomas Edward Brady was drafted. Only 22 at the time, Brady went up to introduce himself to billionaire owner Robert Kraft. When Brady introduced himself Pratt said: “I know who you are. You are our sixth-round draft pick”. Brady looked him dead in the eyes and said: ”That’s right and I am the best decision this organization has ever made”. It’s safe to say he wasn’t wrong.
Nicola Holder