If Michael Jordan is the GOAT of basketball (though some argue he’s not), Tom Brady is certainly the GOAT of football. Sure, there may be players who’ve been more talented than Brady over the years, but no one has been more successful than the 43-year-old. Heck, he’s got six Super Bowl rings to prove it! And, after more than 20 years in the NFL, Brady is still going strong. Well, as strong as one can be playing football in their 40’s. A lot has changed for the superstar over the past year, as he moved from the New England Patriots to the Tampa Bay (or should we say Tompa Bay) Buccaneers, but he’s still must-see TV. From his athletic family to the time he almost missed a playoff game, here are some facts you need to know about the legendary quarterback.
Only Active Player to Have Six Rings
Brady’s six Super Bowl rings are the most won by any player in NFL history and he won them all with the New England Patriots. Charles Haley, a linebacker who retired in 1999, is actually the second most-winning player with five rings to his name.
Feel Asleep Right Before Playing in the Super Bowl
Right before Super Bowl XXXVI, Brady decided to take a nap in the locker room. He woke up and realized he had to be on the field about 10 minutes later. Sounds like he was comfortable in those big games even from the beginning!
Drafted in Another Sport
No one will forget Brady being drafted 199th overall during the 2000 NFL Draft, but that wasn’t the first time he was drafted! In fact, he was drafted in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos. Obviously, he didn’t sign and decided to pursue football further.
Almost Didn’t Make His First Playoff Game
Way back in January 2020, Brady ended up stuck in traffic before the Patriots were set to take on the Raiders in his first playoff game. It was getting so close to game time that Brady actually got a police escort to Foxborough so that he wouldn’t be late.
Family of Athletes
Brady is not the only player in his family to go to school on a sports scholarship. In fact, his sister Maureen went to Fresno State on a softball scholarship, his sister Julie got a soccer scholarship at St. Mary’s, and his sister Nancy was recruited to Cal-Berkely on a softball scholarship.
Never Had Coffee
Brady is known for having a strict and regimented diet, but that diet does not include coffee. In fact, Brady has never tried coffee in his life!
All About the Number 12
As football fans know, Brady loves the number 12. It’s been the number on the back of his jersey and it’s in the name of his company, TB12. As it turns out, Brady loves this number so much he actually paid extra money so he could live on the 12th floor of his New York City apartment. Now that’s dedication to a number!