I've never been a football fan, but I read this because I've always thought Tom Brady seemed like a meathead, and I wanted to be proven wrong. I wasn't. (I guess he deserves a wife who publicly berates his teammates.)
4
Without any question the best sports personality article I've ever read.
10
I'm sorry, but this piece adds little that hasn't been reported many times before about Brady. The author could have written the piece without actually meeting Brady. Disappointing, but I suppose non-New Englanders are getting this info for the first time. Crummy adjectives too.
Mr. Brady states that at some point he received "a litany of Bibles." I have always wondered how many Bibles there are in a litany.
1
If ever one has enjoyed a 'Championship Season', one might invite Mr. Leibovitch for an interview and have him write one's profile. There is something moving about this portrait of Tom Brady, and the photos by Mr. Winter are magnificent.
The last champion athlete I ever read about, was the greatest boxer of all time 'Ali', which tells you that I am late for the dance, but I have always had a soft-spot for the Patriots even though I have never watched a game.
May the best team win as I told two guardians of my building, while joining others in sending good wishes to Mr. Brady, his family and all the players who in a way have brought us all together in a team spirit this Super Bowl Sunday.
The last champion athlete I ever read about, was the greatest boxer of all time 'Ali', which tells you that I am late for the dance, but I have always had a soft-spot for the Patriots even though I have never watched a game.
May the best team win as I told two guardians of my building, while joining others in sending good wishes to Mr. Brady, his family and all the players who in a way have brought us all together in a team spirit this Super Bowl Sunday.
2
While they may not be named it, the Seattle Seahawks are very much the Pacific Northwest Seahawks.
2
What's most fascinating to me about this article was Brady's decision to go to Michigan rather than UC Berkeley. He recognized he needed to put some distance between himself and his father, that he needed to grow on his own, without Dad being there every step of the way. And it worked.
Brady also seems undisturbed by having a supermodel wife who makes far more money than he does. And he willingly admits that football is his life and that he has little else to fall back on (at least at this time in his life).
Of course, he's cocky, especially on game day, but when he talks about himself, there's a maturity tinged with humility that suggests he'll do OK after he hangs up his cleats for the last time.
Brady also seems undisturbed by having a supermodel wife who makes far more money than he does. And he willingly admits that football is his life and that he has little else to fall back on (at least at this time in his life).
Of course, he's cocky, especially on game day, but when he talks about himself, there's a maturity tinged with humility that suggests he'll do OK after he hangs up his cleats for the last time.
15
I am not a football fan, but this was an interesting piece. I hope "Tommy" finds a new hobby soon. Assuming he has no brain damage, he has a long life ahead of him. Maybe he could plow some of the acreage in Chestnut Hill and become an organic farmer?
2
It strikes me that Brady's ability to endure in the NFL will be mostly due to the quality of the offensive line and the degree of protection he receives from them, regardless of his dietary choices.
3
Honestly, Tom has always seemed like a a shallow dullard to me, and this article portrays him as a stereotypical blank-minded, materialistic jock, spiced with a little faddish new-age "zen". No interests except himself, no beliefs, no plans or thoughts about pretty much anything in the world. (Awesome, babe!) Role model? Hardly. I suppose it is not surprising that Americans are so fascinated by him - but I really wonder whether he would have superstar status if he wasn't a handsome white guy with a supermodel wife.
3
He's young yet...give him time.
1
Followed his career much, have you?
2
in my next incarnation I want to come back as Tom Brady
3
Tom Brady is much loved in Canada where legions of fans will be rooting for him and the Patriots in today's Super Bowl. After the excruciatingly painful losses in his two most recent appearances in the Super Bowl(the difference between 3 and 5 Super Bowl rings for Brady is perhaps only two plays) it is hoped that the football Gods will make it right and make way for TB to stand tall on the winner's podium today. Go Pats go!
7
Looks like Tom got his gift tonight! Patriots were dead in the water until Seattle gifted them one.
2
My neighbor, a Patriots' fan, can explain the physics of football inflation/deflation, but he tells me that climate change is a hoax.
Who cares? There's not too much we can do to stop climate catastrophe, so we might as well be entertained in the meantime.
Who cares? There's not too much we can do to stop climate catastrophe, so we might as well be entertained in the meantime.
2
Boston Strong! Patriots Strong! New England Strong! Go Pats!
6
I just hope football worshiping New Englanders who work in finance don't look up to and emulate Belichick. Sports are about heroism and when you cheat it ruins the heroism
Are you kidding? Deception is job #1 for every professional sports coach, and sneakiness is their chief stock in trade. Show me a coach who hasn't "cheated" in one way or another and I'll show you a cab driver.
1
The guy (Brady) has taken a beating this past week for what seems like trumped up accusations that are much ado about nothing. Not a NE Patriots fanatic, actually not a huge follower of any one NFL franchise, but I kind of hope Brady and Belichick win the game to quell all the ''haters" that have piled on these guys for the sake of being mean. I turned on the TV every morning and Good Morning America's LEAD story is about ''deflategate'' meanwhile Yemen is being overthrow by ISIS tells you how unfair the press has treated Brady. The fact that Brady has a menorah in his home and visited the Wailing Wall after growing up with a strong Catholic faith tells me he's a man with an open mind who deserves my open mind when it comes to his supposed cheating. Fact: Tom Brady's sister married a Jew; Kevin Youkilis ex-Red Sox (and Yankee) baseball player. I find it deplorable that Tom Brady gets kicked to the curb by ESPN when they have Ray Lewis under a hefty contract as an expert analyst. Last thought, his friend Alex Guerrero sounds like a man I'd like to know. “Where your concentration goes, your energy flows and that’s what grows.” A well written, insightful article.
13
It is Super Baal Sunday! Light the candles. Say the blessings. Oh America you are so lost.....
1
This is a fabulous article about a man with an accidental luminosity born of our passion for feigned brutality that, in fact, kills and maims and destroys men's minds [CTE].
Why is he a hero and why do we watch? He embodies our shared illusions about eternal youth and wealth and fame childishly enhanced as serious beyond the brutish realities of our world that demand our attention but are made surreal by the posturing of megaliths constructed in a maze of lies and deception.
The power and glory that was Rome still lives amidst the decadence of our gilded age of indulgence and deception. Our media have created an alternative universe that seems to matter when the realities of life defy our efforts to remediate that horror that is beyond our comprehension and remediation.
An afternoon of distraction from the boring and incomprehensible realities of our lives finds surcease in the trivial realities of our soon to be extinguished GOD OF WAR. GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!
Why is he a hero and why do we watch? He embodies our shared illusions about eternal youth and wealth and fame childishly enhanced as serious beyond the brutish realities of our world that demand our attention but are made surreal by the posturing of megaliths constructed in a maze of lies and deception.
The power and glory that was Rome still lives amidst the decadence of our gilded age of indulgence and deception. Our media have created an alternative universe that seems to matter when the realities of life defy our efforts to remediate that horror that is beyond our comprehension and remediation.
An afternoon of distraction from the boring and incomprehensible realities of our lives finds surcease in the trivial realities of our soon to be extinguished GOD OF WAR. GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!
5
Sid,
Mythological writing on your part and quite splendid. We could use more commentators with your style and flamboyance, and it is a pleasure to say well done!
Mythological writing on your part and quite splendid. We could use more commentators with your style and flamboyance, and it is a pleasure to say well done!
2
"Patriarchal Patriots Sear Seahawks!" (in the desert).
The sun shines at XLIX for the dynasty Patriots.
Russell Wilson is a bagged bird and Richard Sherman squawks and squawks all the way to the taxidermist.
M. Lynch has two feelings to share after the game: deflated and defeated!
The sun shines at XLIX for the dynasty Patriots.
Russell Wilson is a bagged bird and Richard Sherman squawks and squawks all the way to the taxidermist.
M. Lynch has two feelings to share after the game: deflated and defeated!
3
The New York Times publishes an article about aging and quarterbacks and doesn't mention New York Giants quarterback YA Tittle? Born in 1926 Tittle played through the 1964 season. Which means Tittle started 14 games for the Giants at 38. Thirty eight, without Guerrero and protein shakes, must equal at least 40 today. Give Tittle respect.
4
Fabulous piece of writing!
6
A very charmed life, indeed. Disciplined to a level that most people cannot achieve. Most of the women, and about half the men, are in love. TB will be a success long after football.
7
Nice article. I'm a 62 yr old Patriots fan who remembers seeing original Boston Patriots ball players holding regular jobs with regular people during the off-season. This piece simply confirms to me how out of touch the NFL players and owners are with their fans. I would never want to live in Brady-Land but he is a great football player. Go Pats.
2
Jim,
Nice comment. I remember when you were 30, and I was asked by the owner of the Patriots if I would like to see his team play in Buffalo the next day, but I had to look after my cat so I never got to see the Pats, but joining you in saying that I am rooting for them in my own way.
Nice comment. I remember when you were 30, and I was asked by the owner of the Patriots if I would like to see his team play in Buffalo the next day, but I had to look after my cat so I never got to see the Pats, but joining you in saying that I am rooting for them in my own way.
Goodness! A Nuu Yawwk writer publishing something objective (and positive) about a Boston/New England QB?! I'm impressed! Falcons fan here... Amidst the NY media mafia diversion that is "Peyton fever", for me Brady still stands as the TRUE NFL legend and will hopefully get his FOURTH ring today. Just for today... GO PATS!
5
Not to rain on my beloved Seattle Seahawk's day in the sun,
but the Universal Consciousness has sent word that Tom B. ,
the top Quarterback in the playoffs will win. Sorry, but
"if only" will be the refrain from the Seahawks-much to my
regret. But, with the Miracle Game, its been a great season!
but the Universal Consciousness has sent word that Tom B. ,
the top Quarterback in the playoffs will win. Sorry, but
"if only" will be the refrain from the Seahawks-much to my
regret. But, with the Miracle Game, its been a great season!
6
Tom Brady is just a man. The Seahawks are a team.
1
Yes, but a losing team.
2
Great article, nicely written Mark..As a (tortured) Jets fan you've shown me a side of both him and his family that's hard not to like..I mean I still hope his team gets crushed tomorrow, but hey it's a start! lol
7
The 2002 "Tuck Rule" gimme against Oakland was the biggest break in Tom's career and likely the biggest break in sports likely ever. No way should Tom Terrific have received that gift. One has to wonder where the team and he would have gone had they not been given a such an unwarranted call. So that makes it two teams and quarterbacks that have reversed their courses against the Oakland Raiders. In 1972 the always-hapless Pittsburgh Steelers won in the "Immaculate Reception" game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMuUBZ_DAeM) and turned the franchise around against the highest winning percentage team of the 60s and 70s.
1
And in 1976, the Raiders received a gift roughing penalty and a 5th down tos core against the Patriots. The Patriots had that game won until the ref intervened with a loony call.
3
Another perspective might be helpful regarding the so called "unwarranted" tuck rule. Several weeks earlier the same rule had been called involving Vinnie Testaverde and the Jets. Unusual maybe, unprecedented no. As has also been noted, Patriots Nation saw this call as payback for Ben Dreith's epic terrible call of 'roughing the passer' that gave the Raiders a fifth down to win the game in 1976.
As baseball was the national pastime... Now football has replaced it as it has become the new religion... And Tom Brady is one of the new icon... Of the NFL Corporation!
3
LET ME ADD . . .
...my hypothesis that there is a correlation between how sports now operates and the unfettered capitalism no so rampart in this nation.
In baseball CBS bought the NY Yankees for about $15M and then a few years later sold it for $9M. The NBA Clippers were recently sold for $2B.
Only God knows what the New England Patriots or even the now lowly NY Giants would command.
...my hypothesis that there is a correlation between how sports now operates and the unfettered capitalism no so rampart in this nation.
In baseball CBS bought the NY Yankees for about $15M and then a few years later sold it for $9M. The NBA Clippers were recently sold for $2B.
Only God knows what the New England Patriots or even the now lowly NY Giants would command.
Absolutely, and 8000# gorilla in the room is the NFL.
1
Tom Brady always will be the Greatest QB ever and nothing gonna change, hes got three SB, some jealous people forgot.
6
Great writing. I recall seeing a Boston Patriots game, with my St. John's Prep teammates, played in the former "Braves Field" with the guest of honor present, Vice President Richard Nixon.
2
Here is some perspective on Brady not getting much playing time during his time in Ann Arbor. During his years there, Michigan was basically quarterback U. Like Miami had been years previously, and USC with Pete Carroll afterwards, pretty much every signal caller got drafted and ended up playing in the NFL, with varying levels of success. Shortly before he arrived, Elvis Grbac and Todd Collins set the pace. Brian Griese, Bob's son, was a couple years ahead of him. Drew Henson was the most highly recruited quarterback in the country in many years, and probably ruined his future by sharing his talents and time on the baseball diamond. He was drafted by the Yankees and given a huge deal, 6 years/17million, and then failed to live up to the hype in either sport. In fact after not playing football for years while flailing in the minors he still got drafted in the 6th round, an almost unheard of event. After Drew's years came a slight hiccup with John Navarre, followed by Chad Henne and then Ryan Mallett (who was drafted by the Patriots to be Brady's backup for several years).
That's a run of quarterbacks playing on Sundays virtually unheard of in the annals of college football. Tom wasn't dilly dallying and failing to live up to his potential, he was rightfully paying his dues on a depth chart most colleges never attain.
That's a run of quarterbacks playing on Sundays virtually unheard of in the annals of college football. Tom wasn't dilly dallying and failing to live up to his potential, he was rightfully paying his dues on a depth chart most colleges never attain.
1
"Here is some perspective on Brady not getting much playing time during his time in Ann Arbor."
Brady started 25 games at Michigan and had a starter's record of 20 wins and 5 losses. He also ended up in the top 5 or 6 of a number of all-time statistical categories at Michigan. The narrative that he didn't get time at Michigan is both wrong and seems to be used to serve to widen the spread between his collegiate and professional accomplishments in order to boost the "wow" factor when discussing his career. The facts are that he was a great collegiate QB and has become an even better professional. We don't need to widen the spread to burnish his reputation as a great QB...both the collegiate record and the professional record speak for themselves.
Brady started 25 games at Michigan and had a starter's record of 20 wins and 5 losses. He also ended up in the top 5 or 6 of a number of all-time statistical categories at Michigan. The narrative that he didn't get time at Michigan is both wrong and seems to be used to serve to widen the spread between his collegiate and professional accomplishments in order to boost the "wow" factor when discussing his career. The facts are that he was a great collegiate QB and has become an even better professional. We don't need to widen the spread to burnish his reputation as a great QB...both the collegiate record and the professional record speak for themselves.
4
The Kraft-Belichick-Brady alliance will go down in history as one of the most amazing yokings in the annals of sports. But it is Tom who has, consistently and persistently and with class, led this team to the pinnacle of success.
14
Are you serious, or are you merely "yoking" (yuk,yuk)?
2
I'm a Giant fan, and I loved every minute of the two greatest, most exciting Super Bowls ever. The first in 2007 when The NY Giants came from behind to defeat, and end the Patriots attempt at a perfect season. Defeating the highest scoring team in NFL history to that point, by holding them to 14 points, to boot. The second was another epic come from behind last minute defeat of the favored Patriots in 2011.
That said, I do think Tom Brady is a HOF QB. I like him and he has always conducted himself with class, and up until now he has been a role model for the way NFL players and people in general should comport themselves. But after listening to many other pros in the league like Troy Aikman, who is not one to engage in controversy, explain how every pro quarterback in the league can tell an underinflated ball in an instant. It's hard to accept Tom's testimony that he had no knowledge that anything wrong had occurred. That he never noticed a difference. Add to that that The Patriots have been caught cheating and bending the rules more than once, and I think you've got a clear case of if it walks like a duck...
It really is too bad because I believe it does impugn the integrity of the game and The Patriots are way too good a team to have to sink to this level. Go Hawks!
That said, I do think Tom Brady is a HOF QB. I like him and he has always conducted himself with class, and up until now he has been a role model for the way NFL players and people in general should comport themselves. But after listening to many other pros in the league like Troy Aikman, who is not one to engage in controversy, explain how every pro quarterback in the league can tell an underinflated ball in an instant. It's hard to accept Tom's testimony that he had no knowledge that anything wrong had occurred. That he never noticed a difference. Add to that that The Patriots have been caught cheating and bending the rules more than once, and I think you've got a clear case of if it walks like a duck...
It really is too bad because I believe it does impugn the integrity of the game and The Patriots are way too good a team to have to sink to this level. Go Hawks!
3
"More than once"? Please enumerate. And Troy Aikman is a broadcaster. He's paid to create controversy.
1
If only there were some explanation other than the media favored story about presumed, but not proven, malfeasance. If only we had a numerical framework to use: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/sports/football/deflation-experiments-...
Of course, at this point, it seems more likely that the Colts cheated by over-inflating their game balls: the link above shows the level of likely deflation...which serves to indicate that the PATs may have been at the low end of the range and deflated out of that range and the Colts were above the legal range and deflated down to legality. The NFL has admitted the pressures weren't logged and everybody seems to ignore the physics (link) and to ignore the fact that given the basic physics the Colt balls appear to have been over-inflated relative to weather induced variability and the consequent expected deflation.
At this point, I'd be more likely to indict the Colts than the PATs.
Of course, at this point, it seems more likely that the Colts cheated by over-inflating their game balls: the link above shows the level of likely deflation...which serves to indicate that the PATs may have been at the low end of the range and deflated out of that range and the Colts were above the legal range and deflated down to legality. The NFL has admitted the pressures weren't logged and everybody seems to ignore the physics (link) and to ignore the fact that given the basic physics the Colt balls appear to have been over-inflated relative to weather induced variability and the consequent expected deflation.
At this point, I'd be more likely to indict the Colts than the PATs.
Interesting that the Pats scored more in the second half with properly inflated balls than with the bad balls in the first. Oh, and why did the officials not notice the deflation until it was pointed out to them?
1
Zinidan Zidane was the worlds best footballer, and retired at the peak, after a triumphant world cup performance, at age 36. He left weeping.
I wish he had played for years to come, until he was old and slow and flbby, just to watch his genius.
I hope Tom Brady is still playing at 47, even if it is as a high school quarterback coach. Its called love of the game, and when you realize it is all you have left, you also realize its the only thing that ever mattered anyway.
I wish he had played for years to come, until he was old and slow and flbby, just to watch his genius.
I hope Tom Brady is still playing at 47, even if it is as a high school quarterback coach. Its called love of the game, and when you realize it is all you have left, you also realize its the only thing that ever mattered anyway.
1
You seem to forget the 2006 WC final which France lost to Italy. From Wikipedia:
"The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 9 July 2006 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany, to determine the winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Italy beat France on penalties after the match finished 1–1 after extra time. France's Zinedine Zidane was sent off in his last-ever match, for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi's chest in retaliation to Materazzi's trash talking."
"The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 9 July 2006 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany, to determine the winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Italy beat France on penalties after the match finished 1–1 after extra time. France's Zinedine Zidane was sent off in his last-ever match, for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi's chest in retaliation to Materazzi's trash talking."
He's going to need Guerrero's body work after this Sunday's game.
4
We shall see.....these Pats are as punishing as any team in the league.
Nice piece, Mark! I enjoyed the subtle and insightful prose, which softly reveals elements of Brady's personality through anecdotal sequences (I didn't mind you being in it at all. I too watched the Boston Patriots at Fenway). Your style triumphs over the hard-scramble and animated rhythms of the Hard Knocks series and even a Football Life. Illuminating Brady's quest for athletic immortality is nothing less than an allegory of intentionality and focus - the requisite elements of performers in that rarified air of historic success.
2
Yes, of course, “Brady is bent on nothing less than subverting the standard expectations of how long a superstar quarterback can play like one.” It was less than two years ago that Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was profiled in The New York Times Magazine under the headline, “How come Martin Brodeur is still so good?” Yesterday, Brodeur quietly retired from the NHL after chasing one final season and playing in just six games for the St. Louis Blues. Tom Brady may be bound for a similar fate but who can begrudge him? You play till the end.
7
I was recently reminded about the huge TV ratings achieved during a major soccer league game - such that the Bill O'Reilly's and Rush Limbaugh's of this country had to start attacking soccer as a "slow and boring" sport.
Amazing, then, that after a big TV ratings competitive kick in the behind there is this sudden "crisis" about soft balls in the NFL (which CNN, et al, are covering with Breaking News as if it's the most important thing on the planet). CNN recently stated this Super Bowl "will be the single largest television audience" ever recorded in the history of American TV.
So, of course, this hysterical hype about a football has absolutely nothing to do with the NFL trying to (a) increase its viewership and (b) distract us from Ray Rice and all the other nightmare issues like concussions, brain injuries and drugs.
Naawwww, it's a critical issue about an under inflated football that we must promote - oh, excuse me, analyze - ceaselessly until the Super Bowl.
Take that, soccer!
Amazing, then, that after a big TV ratings competitive kick in the behind there is this sudden "crisis" about soft balls in the NFL (which CNN, et al, are covering with Breaking News as if it's the most important thing on the planet). CNN recently stated this Super Bowl "will be the single largest television audience" ever recorded in the history of American TV.
So, of course, this hysterical hype about a football has absolutely nothing to do with the NFL trying to (a) increase its viewership and (b) distract us from Ray Rice and all the other nightmare issues like concussions, brain injuries and drugs.
Naawwww, it's a critical issue about an under inflated football that we must promote - oh, excuse me, analyze - ceaselessly until the Super Bowl.
Take that, soccer!
2
Football doesn't need a conspiracy or hype to crush the kneepants boys of soccer in excitement or ratings,
2
I have followed Tom Brady since he was at University of Michigan and found him to be a class act both on and off the field. Thank you for the well written article that provides new insights about Tom which just affirm my favorable thoughts.
8
The article portrays a man who is dedicated to his chosen profession who would like to work in his career for as long as he is able. Not unusual for any person.
Leibovich states that so much of what the outside world hates about the New England Patriots and Tom Brady is "partly" due to jealousy. I would say that it is largely due to jealousy. The vitriol that is shown is disturbing and is unnatural. It is a sad commentary on our current culture. It reflects badly on all of us, especially to other countries.
Maybe people should be reminded that "We are all Patriots" has more than one meaning.
Leibovich states that so much of what the outside world hates about the New England Patriots and Tom Brady is "partly" due to jealousy. I would say that it is largely due to jealousy. The vitriol that is shown is disturbing and is unnatural. It is a sad commentary on our current culture. It reflects badly on all of us, especially to other countries.
Maybe people should be reminded that "We are all Patriots" has more than one meaning.
9
In reality all "Boston" teams are regional teams. The Red Sox for have for many years tried to foster its fandom throughout New England and even in the Canadian Maritimes. Even in a more limited geographic context, the City of Boston, has the lowest percentage of population regarding its surrounding metropolitan area than any city in the country. The Patriot's New England name just recognizes this reality more directly.
6
At least there is a New England team. Used to be you rooted for the NY Giants until the AFL.
I don't like the New England Patriots. I don't like or trust Belichick. As a Giant fan I took great pleasure in the GMen beating the Pats not once but twice. However Tom Brady is a much better role model for the NFL than the marauding Seattle Seahawks and their trash talking QB. He has class, respects the fans and the game and acts in a respectable manner. He is all about team. Unfortunately his wife doesn't get that. When she threw the team under the bus after the last SB loss, I lost a bit of respect for him having married a shallow, self absorbed person like that. But I don't know her and I don't know him. All I know is what I hear in the media which is maybe 25% true. As I said in my opening, I don't like the Patriots, and I wont be watching the game, but subconsciously I will be routing for the Pats to beat the Seahawks just to give Brady a nod.
3
I recently saw the new play; X's and O's written by Kj Sanchez and Jenny Mercian at Berkely Rep. The play dramatically alters one's perspective on the game of professional football. In the end it is sad what these players have to put themselves through, and in some cases what their future holds for them, all for a moment of glory akin to some Roman gladiatorial spectacle.
This article is about a winner who plays for a model organization. Much anti- pats malevolence abound, rooted in envy - constant noise which enhances his focus on winning. Enjoy watching while he is at the helm. Hopefully for much longer.
5
"And there was Brett Favre, whose run with the Packers ended when they traded him in for a newer model, Aaron Rodgers, in 2008. Favre was sent to the Jets, spent a year there and then signed with Minnesota."
Anyone who follows football knows that this is not what happened in Green Bay. Favre retired and then "un-retired" and left the Packers in a bind. Rodgers had already been named the starter at that point and the team had begun to move on. The Packers then tried to buy out Favre, but he still wanted to play, so he ended up with the Jets, and then betrayed us all and went to Minnesota. We'll get over it some day.
Anyone who follows football knows that this is not what happened in Green Bay. Favre retired and then "un-retired" and left the Packers in a bind. Rodgers had already been named the starter at that point and the team had begun to move on. The Packers then tried to buy out Favre, but he still wanted to play, so he ended up with the Jets, and then betrayed us all and went to Minnesota. We'll get over it some day.
1
Brett who?
Statistician Warren Sharp said that the Patriots fumble rate of 1 in 187 plays is an impossibility and far above the next team, the Colts, so the question of deflated footballs should be explored further back and not just the last game.
2
Sharp's "analysis" was riddled with flaws and has been debunked by numerous statisticians...perhaps after your post. Fact is that Sharp made a number of errors which "inflated" his estimate of what constitutes and outlier.
Sharp focused on fumbles recovered by the opponent. If you looked at Blunt's fumbles, for instance, he fumbled more with the Patriots than with other teams, but the Patriots recovered all of them. Bad data.
Whoever doesn't love a Horatio Alger story because they've heard it should enjoy this real-life snippet of Horatio Alger's success after all the pluck and diligence. Mudita.
1
I have no issues with Tom Brady
This video shows that Patriots, Belichek, Brady and Kraft are right, but those that hate them won't acknowledge its explanation of what happened.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxsXFX3tDpg&feature=youtu.be …
Colts knew a challenge was coming and may have filled their footballs outside, so no drop in psi. Really enjoyed this article.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxsXFX3tDpg&feature=youtu.be …
Colts knew a challenge was coming and may have filled their footballs outside, so no drop in psi. Really enjoyed this article.
3
Oh, gee, the Pats are such monsters. Belichick gets guys killed, rakes in gamblers' money-- what? No, he doesn't. They've been caught a couple of times pushing the boundaries of competition, the moral equivalent of a baseball pitcher throwing a spitball or getting caught with an emery board tucked in a glove. So what? I'd be disappointed with a team that didn't look for an edge. How'd the Giants do this year?
So getting away with cheating is the goal?
1
Don't appreciate the "nowhere land" comment.
Nice to get to know Brady a bit, but this felt boring and overwritten. Kind of a yawner.
7
The nytimes just keeps sinking. this is not a story or reporting, it's an ad.
Brady is a hall of famer, no question. The problem with this 'article' is it's an advertisement:
Brady is retiring soon, this reporter has been trying to interview Brady for a while and finally gets to interview Brady now that the QBvand best friend/trainer/business partner are looking for their next income stream. How does the NYTimes let this guy use them this way? It speaks glowingly of Brady's training methods under this Guerrero Guru. Hurry! you can sing up too and become an awesome athlete!
Brady is a hall of famer, no question. The problem with this 'article' is it's an advertisement:
Brady is retiring soon, this reporter has been trying to interview Brady for a while and finally gets to interview Brady now that the QBvand best friend/trainer/business partner are looking for their next income stream. How does the NYTimes let this guy use them this way? It speaks glowingly of Brady's training methods under this Guerrero Guru. Hurry! you can sing up too and become an awesome athlete!
2
Great article. What I found most interesting was the relationship with Guerrero. It reminded me of Andre Agassi and Gil Reyes. The talismanic omnipresence of Guerrero, Brady’s utmost belief in the pseudo-science of Guerrero’s “body work” and Brady’s efforts to proselytize to other players and commercialize to the public Guerrero’s “lifestyle” coaching/training/nutrition/massage/etc. An interesting article unto itself would be these types of relationships, the emergence of the “sports entourage”--not the hangers-on from back home or college, but the close, trusted people that provide services critical to the success of the athlete (or perceived as such). It’s an odd but understandable embodiment of superstition: “I won/had success/got better working with this person, better keep them around.”
As for the game. 31-14 Seahawks. As skilled as Brady may still be, it’s a team game, and at nearly every position, the Patriots can’t match Seattle’s talent. Pundits talk about how the game “slows down” for the 2nd or 3rd year player, talented QBs in particular. For QBs like Brady, this ostensibly happened years ago—given his longevity and experience against many defensive schemes and players. However, against Seattle, the game will speed back up. Seattle will play ball control, field position football. Like Rodgers in the NFC title game, Brady will find it extremely difficult to sustain and finish drives. Expect to see the frustrated Brady in this game.
As for the game. 31-14 Seahawks. As skilled as Brady may still be, it’s a team game, and at nearly every position, the Patriots can’t match Seattle’s talent. Pundits talk about how the game “slows down” for the 2nd or 3rd year player, talented QBs in particular. For QBs like Brady, this ostensibly happened years ago—given his longevity and experience against many defensive schemes and players. However, against Seattle, the game will speed back up. Seattle will play ball control, field position football. Like Rodgers in the NFC title game, Brady will find it extremely difficult to sustain and finish drives. Expect to see the frustrated Brady in this game.
2
What would you be predicitng had the Packers beaten the Seahawks?
Oh My, it is so obvious that Tom Brady is a stand-up guy from San Mateo California! He has played for 15 years and has played with his team and won 3 super bowls. All Too many players in the league never get to a division championship game let alone a Super Bowl finale. His superstar wife, probably spent her time checking Tom out. Checking to see if he would be a good partner, a great lover and dedicated father before stepping up to the altar. On the matter of the softballs, I notice 2 things, the first half against the Colts when the balls were squishy the score was 7 to 17. He threw a TD, they ran for a TD and a field goal. The second half with healthy, firm balls, the Pats scored 4 touchdowns with 2 thrown and two run for scores. Second, throughout the game, the referees and the field umpire 'handled the balls' after each and every play. They picked it up after each play and usually tossed it in the air to another ref who caught it and then handed it to a third ref to spot the ball for the next play. These skilled, highly payed officials who are present to watch for violations and mistakes seemingly didn't pick up on the lack of proper air pressure during the entire first half. So, if we can't count on the officials to spot a problem or even an intentional violation, why should we be seemingly holding Tom Brady responsible for having soft balls for half a game of football. Let's just move on and watch some football!
4
After reading about what he ate, I'm glad that I am not Tom Brady...bet Larry Bird ate cheeseburgers.
4
Athletes who have Spanish-speaking fitness gurus -- haven't we noticed a pattern by now?
Why such unfettered adoration of an unethical cheater?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/warren-sharp/stats-show-the-new-englan_b_6...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/warren-sharp/stats-show-the-new-englan_b_6...
5
Tom Brady, the Norman Rockwell painting that wasn't, is a storybook quarterback who lives an incredibly charmed life. He is the varsity quarterback that goes with the most beautiful cheerleader, is rich, famous, and mostly lives life on his mythic terms. Sure haters gonna hate, but when he wins his record 4th superbowl, and is exonerated with the Patriots on deflategate, it will only raise his legend to another level. This is America and storybook endings do come true for some.
4
....and we still don't know him any better than we did before the piece. But I'll be rooting for him anyway. I really, really want him to win this game. Go Tom!
5
One parenthetical remark in this article drove me crazy: "(The Seattle Seahawks are not the Pacific Northwest Seahawks.)"
Maybe not in name, but if the writer would like to come out here, he would see a region totally united in support for the Seahawks. Port Orchard, near where I live, is about an hour away from Seattle by car and ferry. But everywhere you go you see people wearing Seahawks gear, talking about how they are going to do their eye makeup for the big game (green eyeliner and blue eyeshadow), making cookies shaped like footballs, etc. You could probably go all the way out to Forks on the Washington coast and see the same thing. Even people (like me) who normally pay no attention to sports are signing their e-mails "Go, Hawks."
Maybe not in name, but if the writer would like to come out here, he would see a region totally united in support for the Seahawks. Port Orchard, near where I live, is about an hour away from Seattle by car and ferry. But everywhere you go you see people wearing Seahawks gear, talking about how they are going to do their eye makeup for the big game (green eyeliner and blue eyeshadow), making cookies shaped like footballs, etc. You could probably go all the way out to Forks on the Washington coast and see the same thing. Even people (like me) who normally pay no attention to sports are signing their e-mails "Go, Hawks."
3
Tom Brady Sr. is clearly a genuine guy. And he's spot on -- this will not end well for his son.
I was a fan until 2007-2008; thereafter, it's felt like a gifted, disciplined athlete driven to acquire another Super Bowl victory. Fear about no longer being the best and the will to win at great cost create a dangerous high wire act for one's integrity and soul.
No matter how one parses it, 11 of 12 footballs being distinctly under inflated to NFL regulation is cheating. No equipment manager would ever unilaterally decide & commit that violation.
Tom owns it . . . than lied as a chaser.
Zen spirituality ? This is just a keg that's gone flat.
With his financial wealth, he'd be best to utilize his options, get out of himself . . . and focus on what's truly invaluable -- his kids.
I was a fan until 2007-2008; thereafter, it's felt like a gifted, disciplined athlete driven to acquire another Super Bowl victory. Fear about no longer being the best and the will to win at great cost create a dangerous high wire act for one's integrity and soul.
No matter how one parses it, 11 of 12 footballs being distinctly under inflated to NFL regulation is cheating. No equipment manager would ever unilaterally decide & commit that violation.
Tom owns it . . . than lied as a chaser.
Zen spirituality ? This is just a keg that's gone flat.
With his financial wealth, he'd be best to utilize his options, get out of himself . . . and focus on what's truly invaluable -- his kids.
2
Hanna - tough words, but I suspect you'll watch the game regardless. Plow & Star? That's the right philosophical mix. And they like sports.
1
If the NFL, and the fans, are really concerned about the PSI in a football, they should start by implementing a new rule that both teams will play with footballs that are governed by the referees and handed out before the game.
These are not baseballs. They are footballs. Go back and read the very detailed article in this paper which describes the lengths to which Eli Manning goes to prepare game footballs. Throwing an odd-shaped ball like that in funky and cold weather is something that armchair quarterbacks can mock with a vengeance. But the Patriots did not win by 38 points due to a change in the pressure in the football.
For the physics-challenged out there, the ball was not a pound lighter when placed on a scale. And it is questionable how much of this normally happens in the course of a game. It just took someone from the Ravens, speaking to the Colts, to make an issue of something that goes on unnoticed by all teams every week.
Next year, let's do a piece on placekickers. They, too, prepare their own footballs which they then kick 50 yards through two upright poles.
Can we please have enough of the armchair experts?
These are not baseballs. They are footballs. Go back and read the very detailed article in this paper which describes the lengths to which Eli Manning goes to prepare game footballs. Throwing an odd-shaped ball like that in funky and cold weather is something that armchair quarterbacks can mock with a vengeance. But the Patriots did not win by 38 points due to a change in the pressure in the football.
For the physics-challenged out there, the ball was not a pound lighter when placed on a scale. And it is questionable how much of this normally happens in the course of a game. It just took someone from the Ravens, speaking to the Colts, to make an issue of something that goes on unnoticed by all teams every week.
Next year, let's do a piece on placekickers. They, too, prepare their own footballs which they then kick 50 yards through two upright poles.
Can we please have enough of the armchair experts?
2
In the middle of the blizzard, my bored friend texted "If you could be any famous person, who would you be?" I said Tom Brady.
2
With great achievements on the field come wealth, fame and unreasonably adulation. The achievements are real, remarkable and worth enjoying. And yet we seem to want our athletes to be more: more introspective, more humble, more self-effacing, and immune from the praise and the dollars. Why? Why isn't the majesty of their performance sufficient? Why can't we just rejoice in their excellence and be satisfied? Do we need to be reassured they suffer from the same flaws we suffer from? Let's embrace the performance for its own worth and not search for the flaws in the glory. That's naive perhaps, but also joyous as we behold excellence.
Cannot stop what, lying?
That's the problem with not telling the truth. Tell one lie, and you have to back it up with a hundred more to maintain consistency.
That's the problem with not telling the truth. Tell one lie, and you have to back it up with a hundred more to maintain consistency.
A sympathetic piece on Brady cannot change the fact that the Patriots are a tainted team; winning at any cost is their aim. Cheaters never win, regardless of what the scoreboard says or what stats Brady can rack up--- with "interesting" balls. Tom Brady was a mediocre QB at Michigan, my alma mater, and a low ranking draft choice. (He had to share the starting position as a senior, with a sophomore---a rarity in Michigan football, whose coaches don't favorl a dual-QB system.)
Nobody connected to the Pats knows nuthin' about nuthin'....but stonewalling will not change the evidence of 11 deflated footballs. A priori evidence convicts the Patriots resoundingly, whether or not the actual person who did this is ever identified. We need no "Perry Mason" confession by some underling to uncover the cheating. Any jury would convict with alacrity. Here is further scientific evidence that the Pats have been deflating footballs for years: http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2015/01/ballghazi_the_ne...
Nobody connected to the Pats knows nuthin' about nuthin'....but stonewalling will not change the evidence of 11 deflated footballs. A priori evidence convicts the Patriots resoundingly, whether or not the actual person who did this is ever identified. We need no "Perry Mason" confession by some underling to uncover the cheating. Any jury would convict with alacrity. Here is further scientific evidence that the Pats have been deflating footballs for years: http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2015/01/ballghazi_the_ne...
1
Great article and great guy to root for.
1
Kudos to photographer Damon Winter. The slide show pics were as good as anything "Sports Illustrated" did in its glory days...
FInd "THE PROS A Documentary of Professional Football in America", Robert Riger and Tex Maule, Simon & Schuster, 1960. Still the best commentary + photography I've seen on football.
FInd "THE PROS A Documentary of Professional Football in America", Robert Riger and Tex Maule, Simon & Schuster, 1960. Still the best commentary + photography I've seen on football.
As usual Leibovich goes on and on and on...just to show he is "one of the in guys!" part of the In Crowd..His entire book "This Town" also sounded like a love struck pre-teen about Washington insiders.
Roger Federer is considered the GOAT in men's tennis. He is surrounded by an entourage of physical trainers, nutritionists, massage therapists, agents, and now four nannies--for each of the sets of twins...and has added coaches for the first time in his career. Roger lives and trains in Dubai for the intense heat and dryness.
Brady has ONE guy.
Oh how we obsess over professional athletes...especially the ones who have had children by super models and actresses--See! He really IS a stud!!
I got over "celebrities" when I was thirteen and fell in love with the Beatles-well with Paul--you know...the cute one!
Grow up Mark! Our intense love affairs with ALL football players (ALL athletes, rock stars, etc) leads to forgiveness for beating up wives, raping coeds, shoplifting and stealing.
Isn't it time we all grew up?? 43% of Americans can't name ONE branch of government but everyone knows what "deflategate" is.
Roger Federer is considered the GOAT in men's tennis. He is surrounded by an entourage of physical trainers, nutritionists, massage therapists, agents, and now four nannies--for each of the sets of twins...and has added coaches for the first time in his career. Roger lives and trains in Dubai for the intense heat and dryness.
Brady has ONE guy.
Oh how we obsess over professional athletes...especially the ones who have had children by super models and actresses--See! He really IS a stud!!
I got over "celebrities" when I was thirteen and fell in love with the Beatles-well with Paul--you know...the cute one!
Grow up Mark! Our intense love affairs with ALL football players (ALL athletes, rock stars, etc) leads to forgiveness for beating up wives, raping coeds, shoplifting and stealing.
Isn't it time we all grew up?? 43% of Americans can't name ONE branch of government but everyone knows what "deflategate" is.
5
The deflation gate scandal has been blown out of all proportion to its significance in the Patriots bruising beating of the Colts for the AFC championship.
1
How do you write an article concerning aging NFL quarterbacks and not mention George Blanda?
1
After 153 comments, I went to Readers' Picks. The top picks are unanimous in their praise of Tom Brady as a man and as a supremely dedicated athlete. The comments slapped down the jealous, the mean, the quick to judge, and the lovers of comeuppances.
Nice going readers. A pleasant way to put the finishing touch on a terrific read.
Nice going readers. A pleasant way to put the finishing touch on a terrific read.
3
Tom Brady, what a guy. Here's hoping the Pats win the Superbowl, and sports-pundits everywhere are eating crow for a month, and inevitably apologizing on their knees for their unfair rush to judgement over #DeflateGate.
2
I seem to remember the team being the AFL's "Boston Patriots" before they moved to their own field in the old Schaefer Stadium (remember Schaefer Beer?). They played at BU's field, once the field of the Boston Braves.
"I'm always a thinker — I've got to outthink them."
That self-ascribed attribute is evident on Sundays. The way the Patriots dismantled the Colts on both offense and defense demonstrated the superior preparation that has taken place in the Foxborough front office and locker room since the turn of the century. Forget about the footballs. We've all had the privilege of watching the product of meticulous preparation, planning, and execution play out on the field, and we should all take time to appreciate it while it lasts.
— A Jets fan
That self-ascribed attribute is evident on Sundays. The way the Patriots dismantled the Colts on both offense and defense demonstrated the superior preparation that has taken place in the Foxborough front office and locker room since the turn of the century. Forget about the footballs. We've all had the privilege of watching the product of meticulous preparation, planning, and execution play out on the field, and we should all take time to appreciate it while it lasts.
— A Jets fan
4
The detailed prescription for every step of the way is incredible. There is much to admire about his discipline and his drive. Unfortunately, the Pat's orginazation has impaired its reputation and the latest issue is hard to explain when such attention to detail is given. So Kraft overreaches when he demands an apology if his organization is not caught with outright obvious proof.
The article makes the point that the Pats (which includes Brady) are obviously clever enough to cover their trail well. Still, circumstantial evidence can be sufficient to make a determination. Kraft is sure to be smart enough to put the burden on others, but his organization has earned the burden of providing affirmative proof that the undisputed deflated footballs in the Pats' possession was not their doing.
The article makes the point that the Pats (which includes Brady) are obviously clever enough to cover their trail well. Still, circumstantial evidence can be sufficient to make a determination. Kraft is sure to be smart enough to put the burden on others, but his organization has earned the burden of providing affirmative proof that the undisputed deflated footballs in the Pats' possession was not their doing.
The thing about deflategate is that the focus is on Brady while the incredible history of the running backs in NOT fumbling (until they move on to other teams) is a more likely reason that the Pats would engage on this illegal scheme on a routine basis. Let's see if they have some fumbles in the Superbowl.
A dull piece about a dull man who is a fabulously talented quarterback, an adonis with a gorgeous wife and children.
But dull.
Or maybe he's not but the article sure was.
But dull.
Or maybe he's not but the article sure was.
6
I don't care that much for American Football - prefer sports where there are not that many breaks for adverts and replays - but this was a very article of an athlete who works hard and is a decent bloke.
What I cannot understand is the rash of comments which assume this man is guilty and is vile.
Envy is rottenness to the bones.
What I cannot understand is the rash of comments which assume this man is guilty and is vile.
Envy is rottenness to the bones.
3
Brady emerges from this article as enigmatic as ever. No one can take his NFL records away from him - the six Super Bowl appearances, the mind boggling passing statistics. He is a disciplined, determined athlete who has overcome the modest expectations of others at every level. But something is still missing from his consciously projected, carefully calibrated persona, something that does not form a complete picture of who he is. Of course, he isn't obliged to be anything for anyone, especially at this point in his career. He has earned the right many times over to play his game and to lead his life as he chooses. But a semblance of that missing piece of the Brady Puzzle is suggested by the quotes from and descriptions of his father. Brady Senior comes across as someone who has led an incredibly full, rich life, is a loyal husband and doting father. And he's a regular guy who speaks his mind. I finished this piece wanting to have a beer with Brady Senior. But not so much Brady Junior.
1
I don't agree with Ivy below that "Richard Sherman is a better role model than Tom Brady." And I don't think that Tom Brady is a better role model than Richard Sherman. They are excellent professional athletes with their own unique personalities. That is enough for me which is to say I agree with Ivy in the bigger picture. The typical sports fan vilifies equally a Tom Brady and a Richard Sherman for their own insecure, prejudicial reasons. Brady is a pretty boy; Sherman is a thug. Sports fans give sports fans a bad name.
8
Tom Brady is indeed an interesting person, far more interesting than the writer here, who could not keep himself out of the narrative. I thought the Times had outrgown this kind of "Me Decade" journalism.
13
Smarter than the average bear.
Willing to explore and accept alternative approaches that his teammates wouldn't dream of contemplating. And when it works, sticking to it like glue.
This guy is more Boo-Boo than Yogi. With a ton of picuhnic baskets to go with it.
Good for him.
Still, the illusion of longevity is just that. That plate glass door he's going to run into called retirement is going to be so jarring. But he's surrounded by good people, so he should do fine.
I hope his C.T.E. is manageable. For his sake, as well as his kid's.
Willing to explore and accept alternative approaches that his teammates wouldn't dream of contemplating. And when it works, sticking to it like glue.
This guy is more Boo-Boo than Yogi. With a ton of picuhnic baskets to go with it.
Good for him.
Still, the illusion of longevity is just that. That plate glass door he's going to run into called retirement is going to be so jarring. But he's surrounded by good people, so he should do fine.
I hope his C.T.E. is manageable. For his sake, as well as his kid's.
Too bad this outstanding man will have a great chance of dementia. Is it worth the risk?
2
I guess Tom Brady answered the question by continuing to play. Perhaps the main reason he's still playing is because the Patriots offensive line keeps him off the ground.
1
New Yorkers who hate Tom Brady would be thrilled if he were to join the Jets and probably even the Giants. So a lot of their feelings are likely simply because he is so difficult to beat on the field.
9
Cheating help.
Secretly taping your oppostion, deflating footballs. I see what you mean.
Secretly taping your oppostion, deflating footballs. I see what you mean.
Really? Exactly why would one bring Brady in to replace a younger QB who has beaten him twice in SuperBowls?
Other than the inane comments about the Pats being a regional team, yes they are and Boston blew the opportunity to bring them into the city when Kraft was seeking a new home for the team. So suck it up Mark.
Good article on Brady and definitely not a "oh gosh what a sports hero" article. NFL football is a tough and like all capitalistic endeavors when it comes to labor a cruel endeavor. Brady seems to have kept his senses about himself and I am proud to call myself a fan. That they are not a media friendly organization is in their favor. I love to watch football, listening and reading and watching media pundits blather on and on and on is almost as boring as the political mindlessness which goes on all the time. Thanks for an article which other than your Foxboro bashing is interesting and fair, mostly.
Good article on Brady and definitely not a "oh gosh what a sports hero" article. NFL football is a tough and like all capitalistic endeavors when it comes to labor a cruel endeavor. Brady seems to have kept his senses about himself and I am proud to call myself a fan. That they are not a media friendly organization is in their favor. I love to watch football, listening and reading and watching media pundits blather on and on and on is almost as boring as the political mindlessness which goes on all the time. Thanks for an article which other than your Foxboro bashing is interesting and fair, mostly.
1
According to Mr. Leibovich, he tells Brady that this article was to be published on Super Bowl Sunday if the Patriots won the AFC championship game. Well, they did win that game, yet the article was published on Jan. 26, 2015, a week early.
I wonder if this might be because Leibovich asked Brady about the "Deflategate" story (which I also happen to think is largely a bogus and planted distraction), at which point Brady then terminated his contact with Leibovich? That, at least, appears to be the case from how the article proceeds after that point.
I wonder if this might be because Leibovich asked Brady about the "Deflategate" story (which I also happen to think is largely a bogus and planted distraction), at which point Brady then terminated his contact with Leibovich? That, at least, appears to be the case from how the article proceeds after that point.
3
Spoken like a true Patriot fan. A "Planted distraction"? Sounds like Hillary's vast right wing conspiracy theory.
This is at best a rather "soft-ball" article -- but enjoyable b/c like Brady professes -- it's sports and not some "Terrorist Chess Match".
The writer was likely hand-picked by Yee for 2 reasons his affiliation with the NY Times and also not a beat reporter.
I remember reading stories and biographies like these abt my heroes.....Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle........role models?? Maybe not but they were "hero-warrior" in a "bubble-world" of my childhood.
In the end we all grow up and realize the pressures of life, that Willie, Mickey and Tom........are sports entertainers -- that there are good parts of their lives and some not to be copied.......
Living in such an imperferct world where "Good and Evil" lives in all of us....why is being a Cynic and Gotcha driven be........so important.
Would Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Franklin become our distinguished and admired Forefathers?
Rather than the cynical view over the premature publishing of the article is more likely a favor to Brady, Yee, and Kraft to get "SOME OTHER STORY" out there and not wait until Sunday.
Going forward where ever you line up for against the Patriots and Brady -- here's a valuable quote from Brady' and friendd and body coach Guerrero......"Where your concentration goes, your energy flows, and that's what grows."
Lot's of great information ...................but if you're looking for hard journalism stick to "World News"
The writer was likely hand-picked by Yee for 2 reasons his affiliation with the NY Times and also not a beat reporter.
I remember reading stories and biographies like these abt my heroes.....Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle........role models?? Maybe not but they were "hero-warrior" in a "bubble-world" of my childhood.
In the end we all grow up and realize the pressures of life, that Willie, Mickey and Tom........are sports entertainers -- that there are good parts of their lives and some not to be copied.......
Living in such an imperferct world where "Good and Evil" lives in all of us....why is being a Cynic and Gotcha driven be........so important.
Would Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Franklin become our distinguished and admired Forefathers?
Rather than the cynical view over the premature publishing of the article is more likely a favor to Brady, Yee, and Kraft to get "SOME OTHER STORY" out there and not wait until Sunday.
Going forward where ever you line up for against the Patriots and Brady -- here's a valuable quote from Brady' and friendd and body coach Guerrero......"Where your concentration goes, your energy flows, and that's what grows."
Lot's of great information ...................but if you're looking for hard journalism stick to "World News"
The NYT always posts lead Sunday Magazine articles three or four days in advance on-line. Has nothing to do with Brady. Everyone is always looking for a negative angle. Sorry!
1
Unfortunate opportunity lost. The reporter's voice overwhelms the story and Brady.
7
Brady my want to keep the NFL Grim Reaper from his door by working out and eating right, but the Reaper always bats last. No matter when he is done, Brady will long for another year, like an older man chasing a younger woman and unable to keep up. It reminds me of the dialogue in the movie Moonstruck:
Rose: Why do men chase women?
Johnny: Well, there's a Bible story... God... God took a rib from Adam and made Eve. Now maybe men chase women to get the rib back. When God took the rib, he left a big hole there, where there used to be something. And the women have that. Now maybe, just maybe, a man isn't complete as a man without a woman.
Rose: [frustrated] But why would a man need more than one woman?
Johnny: I don't know. Maybe because he fears death.
[Rose looks up, eyes wide, suspicions confirmed]
Rose: That's it! That's the reason!
Johnny: I don't know...
Rose: No! That's it! Thank you! Thank you for answering my question!
Rose: Why do men chase women?
Johnny: Well, there's a Bible story... God... God took a rib from Adam and made Eve. Now maybe men chase women to get the rib back. When God took the rib, he left a big hole there, where there used to be something. And the women have that. Now maybe, just maybe, a man isn't complete as a man without a woman.
Rose: [frustrated] But why would a man need more than one woman?
Johnny: I don't know. Maybe because he fears death.
[Rose looks up, eyes wide, suspicions confirmed]
Rose: That's it! That's the reason!
Johnny: I don't know...
Rose: No! That's it! Thank you! Thank you for answering my question!
Very readable but mundane story about an American hero, making him more human, not dwelling on suspicions, not connecting the warts ...it reminds me of Sally Jenkins stories about Lance Armstrong in Not About the Bike.
Who benefited from the deflated footballs? Who prefers them that way? Who blinked like crazy when explaining he didn't understand how it happened?
I don't know how this game will turn out, not a clue; but I'll bet anyone that when they get to the bottom of what happene to those footballs, they will find a red-faced Tom Brady.
Who benefited from the deflated footballs? Who prefers them that way? Who blinked like crazy when explaining he didn't understand how it happened?
I don't know how this game will turn out, not a clue; but I'll bet anyone that when they get to the bottom of what happene to those footballs, they will find a red-faced Tom Brady.
6
Brady a "class act"? Depends on how you look at it.
Brady came to Seattle in 2012 with a potty-mouth and an attitude against a motley crew of supposed Seahawk "nobodies". For what purpose? The Pats were beating the Hawks, but Brady still couldn't resist letting loose with a string of nasty poor-sport insults. The 'Hawks rallied, won the game and Sherman called Brady's bluff and exposed his tired "Eddy Haskell"act with the well-deserved "You Mad, Bro?" meme.
Brady is a great athlete, but when it comes to character and sportsman-like conduct, he's no better than his opponents.
Brady came to Seattle in 2012 with a potty-mouth and an attitude against a motley crew of supposed Seahawk "nobodies". For what purpose? The Pats were beating the Hawks, but Brady still couldn't resist letting loose with a string of nasty poor-sport insults. The 'Hawks rallied, won the game and Sherman called Brady's bluff and exposed his tired "Eddy Haskell"act with the well-deserved "You Mad, Bro?" meme.
Brady is a great athlete, but when it comes to character and sportsman-like conduct, he's no better than his opponents.
8
You want to give us some documentation bro? I have heard Brady bad mouth his own play many times after a loss but never the other team. Don't recall him ever being a big source of pin up board material before a game either,
1
Perhaps it would be well if Tom Brady had a passenger in his chariot saying, "You are Mortal, Glory is Fleeting," but for the past 15 years, and today, Tom Brady is ageless for people of all ages.
1
This article seemed to have a lot yet nothing. He did know an interesting Sanskrit word but he comes across as vacuous as both a person and a footballer. I can see why his wife is nowhere in the picture (privacy?) but more insight into his interactions with other players could have made the essay better. And frankly haven't we seen enough of trainers with alternate recovery methods to be anything but suspicious about them?
4
The Patriots may have won by cheating? Well look at it this way. When they win the Superbowl on Sunday, think of what the score could have been if the team had been able to focus on the big game this week! Instead, the charming, smart, and gorgeous (not to mention talented) Tom Brady is being distracted, and put on the spot during press conferences. And how about how all of this is distracting women everywhere who just want more, more, and more of Brady? I resent that I have a lot to do this week, yet can't seem to get anything done with this mini series on featuring a hunk of a man who is perfect in all ways... "He's on again Mom"... Whoops, gotta go! Go Patriots!!!!
3
He's a NiceGuy*
*who cheated
*who cheated
4
prove it
2
Now that Brady will no longer have the advantages of the deflated football, I imagine he'll start playing a lot closer to his age.
2
This is the most illuminating article I've ever rear about Tom Brady. Thank you.
4
Tom Brady is a great player and a great guy. The discipline that he employs to stay at the top is truly inspiring.
3
I find it odd that this story comes out right before the Super Bowl. You're telling me with all the football that's been played this year, or any year up until now, this has never been a problem or reported as meddling with the football ?
Looks more like a witch-hunt for Belichik. Maybe next time guys, when you have something more credible than just some low inflated footballs.
Looks more like a witch-hunt for Belichik. Maybe next time guys, when you have something more credible than just some low inflated footballs.
4
Great article and Tom is a great guy to root for. I'm not a Patriots fan but this relentless attacks on them for something so trivial (if true) is mind numbing and agonizing. This coach and QB have done something completely incomprehensible in one of the most competitive major sports league -- 9 AFC games and 6 super bowls in the past 15 years.
6
Great guy but a cheater just like his mentor, Belichick!
End justifies means in Belichick's book.
End justifies means in Belichick's book.
3
I think a lot of people who love football think this Super Bowl is a fraud. It is becoming clearer and clearer that Bill Belichek and especially Tom Brady started and participated in cheating and that it's been going on longer than was initially thought. Brady was the moving force in getting the NFL to allow the home team to supply their own footballs and we know why now. Nobody likes to place guilt, but between Slate's excellent story on how the Patriots hardly ever fumble the football year after year, to the obvious fact that the balls were undeflated, guilt is pretty clear. And there isn't anybody who believes they will suffer any meaningful punishment because the fix is always in with the NFL. I hope the only good that will come out of this is that baseball will become more popular. Because Roger Goodell isn't really commissioner of football as much as he's a corporate flunky. Makes you sick really. Belichek and Brady in the worst division in football for the past 15 years and still feel it necessary to cheat. Makes a Baltimore fan feel like it was even sweeter beating them time and time again, except for the last time, balls deflated and all. Both should be suspended from football for 3 years and that's a light sentence for these miscreants.
7
Please provide the data that led you to state "It is becoming clearer and clearer that Bill Belichek and especially Tom Brady started and participated in cheating and that it's been going on longer than was initially thought."
That's a definitive statement that is also a slur on both of them, and you shouldn't go around insulting people's reputations with specific allegations if you cannot prove them.
That's a definitive statement that is also a slur on both of them, and you shouldn't go around insulting people's reputations with specific allegations if you cannot prove them.
1
Mr. Brady has worked hard to get to where he is, no doubt.
But it's funny how Wall Streeters' who are caught cheating go to prison but athletes who are caught cheating receive championship trophies and advance to the Super Bowl. The NFL should disqualify the Patriots from the Super Bowl game and allow the Colts to play instead. That would be a positive step toward showing the young that cheating at anything is dishonorable. Instead the NFL is "investigating" while New England is allowed to participate. (Goodell lacks morals, sadly.) I like Tom Brady, but he certainly knows how a football "feels". It's unfortunate that his record (and Belichick's) will have an asterisk.
But it's funny how Wall Streeters' who are caught cheating go to prison but athletes who are caught cheating receive championship trophies and advance to the Super Bowl. The NFL should disqualify the Patriots from the Super Bowl game and allow the Colts to play instead. That would be a positive step toward showing the young that cheating at anything is dishonorable. Instead the NFL is "investigating" while New England is allowed to participate. (Goodell lacks morals, sadly.) I like Tom Brady, but he certainly knows how a football "feels". It's unfortunate that his record (and Belichick's) will have an asterisk.
4
Wall Streeters' who get caught cheating go to prison?
Not in this century.
Bad analogy, worse sour grapes.
How about teaching our young about "innocent till proven guilty"?
Not in this century.
Bad analogy, worse sour grapes.
How about teaching our young about "innocent till proven guilty"?
2
Tom Brady is one charismatic quarterback. But looking on from my living room his life has almost been TOO charmed. Actually, cracks have appeared in his facade during his games. He curses up a storm now, which he never did before, and his frustration has been building. And then there's "DEFLATE GATE." Heard his press conference, and didn't find it particularly convincing.
Like a junkie needs a fix, Brady needs another Superbowl victory. It may be his last chance.
Like a junkie needs a fix, Brady needs another Superbowl victory. It may be his last chance.
3
Actually, as you know by now, the footballs were probably never handled any differently except for being taken into the bathroom for 90 seconds on the way to the field. This is about enough time for the handler to take a leak, themselves, but certainly not to leak very many of the footballs.
2
Suzinne, he has always cursed animatedly. The TV cameras seem obsessed with it now, for some reason.
I can't believe I wasted so much of my evening reading this boring article. Does anyone outside New England really care?
8
Why did you read?
I'm a rabid football fan in Kentucky and I loved the article!
To reach this level, one must be very completive and totally focused. It is mostly extremely hard work and a competitive commitment that is abnormal.
As Clintons' Cajun stated about all of this...."If you ain't cheating , you ain;t trying."
Brady is in rare company. One of the best of all times. At least he did not take enhancement drugs. He is a star, so darts will be thrown.
As Clintons' Cajun stated about all of this...."If you ain't cheating , you ain;t trying."
Brady is in rare company. One of the best of all times. At least he did not take enhancement drugs. He is a star, so darts will be thrown.
2
Brady gets the attention because he was an unknown 6th round draft pick and has become a great quarterback, leading his team to the Superbowl. I would assume he should feel confident about his accomplishments, not apologetic. This article was a little too long, but I it was interesting. That's all I suppose it was meant to be.
1
You must get paid by the word. NYT articles are habitually long-winded but this one is better than No-Doz.
4
I too grew up in a Boston suburb, Newton, and followed the Patriots since their formation. I vaguely recall going to a game at BU's Nickerson Field (I place I actually played at many years later when in a summer soccer league). However, I have a strong memory of going to a game at Fenway Park in December 1963. This was a Bar Mitzvah gift from my parents. The game was some sort of playoff with the Buffalo Bills. It was played in a blizzard (luckily no game today) and we struggled to get to, on and off the MTA. Now, many years and miles apart, I still support the Patriots (and Sox, Bruins and Celtics). I live in Jakarta, Indonesia. On Super Bowl Sunday (Monday morning here) I'll take the day off from work. My local "pub" will have a buffet along with Bloody Marys and there will be approximately 100 expatriates and assorted Indonesians who have learned about "american football". I'll share a table with a good friend who is a hardcore Seattle fan. Go Patriots!
2
Holding is cheating. Receivers jumping up with a ball as though it was a clean catch, when they know (and the camera sometimes shows) they got it on the bounce, is attempted cheating. Trying to wrestle away a ball in a tackle scrum, after the whistle has blown to claim FUMBLE is cheating. Late hits are cheating. Roundabout communication with players on other teams to feel out trade interest is cheating.
Player recruiting violations (think USC & P.C.) are cheating. Moving the ball forward after you're down to get a favorable spot is cheating. All of these have resulted in undeserved wins, by every team in the league.
The flap on ball pressure is magnified to fill a slack news period and now to build a "Muhammed Ali vs next Great White hope" level of eyeballs for the game.
Next!
Player recruiting violations (think USC & P.C.) are cheating. Moving the ball forward after you're down to get a favorable spot is cheating. All of these have resulted in undeserved wins, by every team in the league.
The flap on ball pressure is magnified to fill a slack news period and now to build a "Muhammed Ali vs next Great White hope" level of eyeballs for the game.
Next!
Just because one has an unlimited expense account and can hop around the country for face-to-face interviews does not equate to a substantive essay. This is predictable superficial and materialistic. Brady is, of course, barely captured here. So why write it? I guess simply because people will read it because it's purportedly "about" Tom Brady.
3
If Aaron Rodgers likes the ball at the max, and Eddie Lacy the running back and Jordy Nelson and the rest of the receivers do very well with it, why is it such an advantage to be at the low end of the range or slightly lower? Under inflated balls don't travel as well through the air.
This is the best P.R. situation the NFL could ever hope for, regarding eyeballs tuning in for the SB.
This is the best P.R. situation the NFL could ever hope for, regarding eyeballs tuning in for the SB.
Wonderful article, and a good reminder about the importance of defying conventional thinking.
I don't follow football much, but could someone please explain the sheer coincidence of a complete puff-piece on Tom Brady just as Deflategate is all over the news?
Just asking.
Just asking.
5
He seems to be one of a kind. Thank you for a very interesting and informative article.
Doesn't anyone realize that the guy who wrote this piece is best known for writing the best-selling "Our Town" in which he portrayed the DC political glitterati as foolish, venal, and self absorbed? Mr. Leibovich's treatment of Brady is miles short of the cut and slash that football fans grow up with, but it's crystal clear if Tom ran for office, Mark would be tempted to give him a vote.
3
I, for one, will boycott the game this year. There is no "sport" where drugs, bad behavior, and now cheating, are a normal part of the game. This all adds to the "if you don't get caught, it's OK" attitude that gains more and more prevalence. It is no longer "sport" where anything goes, the rules are changed yearly in attempt to make the game more interesting, where the team owners dictate that new stadiums must be built at the taxpayers' expense to increase their profits.
The Romans had their "sport". Can we take a lesson from history, or are we doomed to repeat? Spend the day with family and friends, use the excuse to have a party - but don't let the NFL be a part of it. Make it a day for discussion of the many things that really are important in life, and give to a researched charity, not the self-serving NFL.
The Romans had their "sport". Can we take a lesson from history, or are we doomed to repeat? Spend the day with family and friends, use the excuse to have a party - but don't let the NFL be a part of it. Make it a day for discussion of the many things that really are important in life, and give to a researched charity, not the self-serving NFL.
4
I hope he has the good sense to retire after the Super Bowl or announce next year as his last. Don't expect it, but would be nice to see a Michigan Man do it right.
3
A sensitive though unsentimental article which unfortunately does not really get to the substance of the man. What drives him, makes him tick. What kind of a family man is he?
One suspects that there is more to Tom Brady than he lets on. People so much in the limelight perhaps have to cultivate some kind of persona to survive the merciless cynicism and ugliness from the media and much of the public. I for one like to watch him play. Like Joe Montana, he appears to do a difficult job with graceful ease!
One suspects that there is more to Tom Brady than he lets on. People so much in the limelight perhaps have to cultivate some kind of persona to survive the merciless cynicism and ugliness from the media and much of the public. I for one like to watch him play. Like Joe Montana, he appears to do a difficult job with graceful ease!
4
I too grew up in Massachusetts, about 25 miles north of Boston. The Patriots were called the "Boston Patriots" until they moved to Foxboro.
I enjoy watching Brady play -- he's one of the 4 or 5 best quarterbacks ever -- and his self-effacing personality is a relief in a sports world overfilled with egomaniacs. He would do well to follow the example of Ted Williams and Bill Russell, and retire before his skills diminish and he embarrasses himself by trying to play after age 40 or so.
At the moment, Deflategate hangs over him like a cloud. The infraction itself is minor, but IF it's ever revealed that he's lying about it, his reputation will be ruined.
I enjoy watching Brady play -- he's one of the 4 or 5 best quarterbacks ever -- and his self-effacing personality is a relief in a sports world overfilled with egomaniacs. He would do well to follow the example of Ted Williams and Bill Russell, and retire before his skills diminish and he embarrasses himself by trying to play after age 40 or so.
At the moment, Deflategate hangs over him like a cloud. The infraction itself is minor, but IF it's ever revealed that he's lying about it, his reputation will be ruined.
If? Ask Troy Aikman.
1
Like the author, I grew up in Boston and put Yaz, Orr, Bird, and Brady on an entirely different level of greatness. But it saddens me to think there might be something to deflategate. These Patriots are good enough to win without messing with the game balls. It its true, there was no need for it. We keep looking for perfection in our heroes. We keep being disappointed. I guess because as different as they are from us in talent, money, and, in Brady's case, looks, they are still just humans. Wish it weren’t so.
1
I saw Yaz's '67 season, and it was amazing. But he wasn't nearly as great a ballplayer as Ted Williams. And as Larry himself said, Bill Russell will always be the greatest Celtic.
2
As I was reading I found myself losing interest in what was said.I found it insightful that Tom Brady knew he had to break the bond between him and his father and that was one of the reasons he went to Michigan.His regimentation for eating and staying healthy. But what bothered me was, it is too perfect. There is a dark side that we won't go there.It is almost like I have to live in this perfect world, even though the public realizes I am human. I somehow must make them understand that I am different.
1
He has kicking skills and wants to play indefinitely? I feel a George Blanda moment coming on.
I loved the presence of storied characters like Blanda in the old AFL that I worshiped as a kid. A 50 year old Brady punting, throwing an occasional pass out of punt formation, and winning a few ballgames under center should the starting QB get injured is not outside the realm of possibility.
I'm not worried about the 37 year old Brady's future as an elite performer. I'm worried that someone out there thinks that the 38 year old Josh McDaniels is ready to be a head coach again.
I loved the presence of storied characters like Blanda in the old AFL that I worshiped as a kid. A 50 year old Brady punting, throwing an occasional pass out of punt formation, and winning a few ballgames under center should the starting QB get injured is not outside the realm of possibility.
I'm not worried about the 37 year old Brady's future as an elite performer. I'm worried that someone out there thinks that the 38 year old Josh McDaniels is ready to be a head coach again.
No way the balls got deflated without his knowledge and approval. Suspend him!
9
Brady and his uncouth coach will do anything to win. Including cheat. But in culture where winning is everything, I guess that's OK.
7
William, William.
"Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing."
You know who said that? Hint: His name is on the NFL Championship trophy.
"Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing."
You know who said that? Hint: His name is on the NFL Championship trophy.
2
Quarterback George Blanda retired from the Oakland Raiders at the age of 48 (source: Wikipedia).
4
Whatever Tom Brady may be, he's no Otto Graham. I did not see Graham play but you can't beat this record with a stick: ten years as the Browns' quarterback, ten league championship games, won seven out of ten. The Super Bowl may be many things, but in the end it's the league championship. Brady's not even close, and he's not "Ottomatic."
2
There were quite a few less chances given to black athletes in 40's/50's. Considering the league is now 70% black, it lessens any accomplishments in that era. And they were not full time professionals.
The author is sometimes subtle, but he misses few opportunities to pen unkind, unflattering vignettes of Brady. The jealous, the whiners, the complainers, and also rans, and their panderers in the sports media will enjoy this piece. There is a thinly disguised meanness in it. I suspect Tom Brady will recognize with regret that he let a smiling ingratiating enemy into his tent.
7
In totality, this is a puff piece. Not the worst one ever, but hardly a sabotage or hack job.
2
Pete Rose was banished from major league baseball for betting on his own team, regardless of his supreme accomplishments as a player. Should Brady be found to be a guilty party to "inflate gate" in the coming months -- and how could he not be, given the precise control he exerts over every aspect of the game (and elsewhere in his life, as documented here) -- why should his legacy be any different than Rose, despite all that he has achieved?
4
By betting on Major League baseball games, Pete Rose invited organized crime, violence, extortion, and maybe even worse, which is why his punishment was so severe.
1
Um, tis my understanding that Rose bet on games other than Reds games? Am I mistaken?
It's kind of unfortunate that in the Super Bowl there's a player who is intelligent, funny, by all accounts has a big heart, and overcame obstacles to graduate from an elite university. But because that player is African American, has dread-locks, and made an overheated post-game speech last year, most of the U.S. thinks he's a "thug."
I think Richard Sherman is a better role model than Tom Brady.
I think Richard Sherman is a better role model than Tom Brady.
59
Good for you. But the article has nothing to do with Sherman, who by the way is blessed with obvious genetic advantages that make him a naturally good football player. I think Tom Brady, who got where he is against all odds by work ethic alone, makes an excellent role model for children of any race.
4
Role model to whom?
5
Whinny punk is more like it.
This man plays a child's game better than most other men. Everything else is added by the viewers subconscious needs.
11
You're ignoring the elaborate regime of training, medicine, and life-style efforts that go into keeping this talented athlete at the top of his game, as well as the thought and research that underlies those activities. Games are as ancient a cultural expression as music, art, or literature, helping to unify a community and reinforce its values. American football is a sort of stylized warfare, in which heroic deeds, along with tragic failures, sudden reversals of fortune (cf. the Packers' abrupt collapse against the Seahawks two Sundays ago), and bloodshed, are witnessed in real time by millions. The values expressed are not always high-minded, but then neither are American values in general, which prominently include those of "winner" and "loser." Does a football game stir up our appetite for war, or give that appetite a relatively harmless catharsis? Probably both. You're right: such emotions arise first in childhood, but they are as present in adults as well - perhaps, as you say, often subconsciously.
Trenchant comment! Do you have more cutToTheChase Billisms? Also, I got to use "trenchant"
Football has never been a child's game....baseball maybe..soccer maybe...
With the picture painted here, it's just hard to believe that a man whose father cried like a baby when he chose a far-away school--and whose family has attended nearly every game he's ever played in--became the type of person who would resort to such petty and dishonest schemes as under-inflating footballs to gain a competitive advantage. Couple with his devotion to family, community service and his decency with others, the portrait just doesn't fit the table "cheater".
24
"Devotion to family" and "his decency with others"?! You must be kidding. Tom Brady dumped his then pregnant girlfriend, Bridget Moynahan, to hook up with Gisele Bundchen. Funny, I don't recall him even mentioning his son and only child in this piece. Ever seen them together? He may not even know his name. Hint, it's not "Tom".
Don't fall for the pathetic hype in this article, which is written like a teenager with a crush. Kind of ironic that this puff piece coincides with yet another in a series of questionable actions by the Pats. Darn the luck, NYT!
Don't fall for the pathetic hype in this article, which is written like a teenager with a crush. Kind of ironic that this puff piece coincides with yet another in a series of questionable actions by the Pats. Darn the luck, NYT!
3
He's an effective field general. No doubt about it. I am grateful he plays for New England.
13
Good, well-written article--pretty objective too. I bet the author never dreamed his article to be published at a time when the name Tom Brady has appeared in more tweets, headlines, articles, blogs, and comments in 5 days than during his entire football career.
I'd read about his new body wellness boutique in Gillette Stadium although it was a real revelation to see how much he leans on his guru Alex. It almost sounds like he's closer to Guerrero than Giselle--which seems a tad creepy. I found myself envying Brady not for his wealth and success but for his access to such innovative therapies that prevent chronic pain.
Patriot fans have long read of Brady's laser focus and drive to win, to the point of insanity at times. We know how during the season he's one of the first in on Monday, the first to break down all game films, the hardest studier, and the sort of goody two shoes player in terms of conformity.
But I don't think the drive to win is what makes Brady unique. I think it's this yin-yang of Brady's psyche that Leibovich hit on--a latent inferiority (that 6th round pick!) and chip on his shoulder combined with a brazen, boundless pride in being more prepared than anyone (except Belichik).
Awhile back I read Brady told Kraft right after being drafted--having thrown no touch-down passes--that he'd never regret signing him. That alone makes me say: call him confident, call him arrogant, but never call him "enigmatic."
What drives him is pretty clear.
.
I'd read about his new body wellness boutique in Gillette Stadium although it was a real revelation to see how much he leans on his guru Alex. It almost sounds like he's closer to Guerrero than Giselle--which seems a tad creepy. I found myself envying Brady not for his wealth and success but for his access to such innovative therapies that prevent chronic pain.
Patriot fans have long read of Brady's laser focus and drive to win, to the point of insanity at times. We know how during the season he's one of the first in on Monday, the first to break down all game films, the hardest studier, and the sort of goody two shoes player in terms of conformity.
But I don't think the drive to win is what makes Brady unique. I think it's this yin-yang of Brady's psyche that Leibovich hit on--a latent inferiority (that 6th round pick!) and chip on his shoulder combined with a brazen, boundless pride in being more prepared than anyone (except Belichik).
Awhile back I read Brady told Kraft right after being drafted--having thrown no touch-down passes--that he'd never regret signing him. That alone makes me say: call him confident, call him arrogant, but never call him "enigmatic."
What drives him is pretty clear.
.
27
The Patriots began their life playing about five miles from Roxbury, where I grew up. It's been a party to be emotionally invested in this team. We're so lucky to have Tom Brady on our side. Super model wife who's off-the-charts gorgeous? A close, warm, and loving family? His talent? His drop-dead sex appeal? His wealth? His (and the Patriots') fourth Super Bowl title come Sunday night? All I can say is this: how lucky we Patriots fans are.
15
“Where your concentration goes, your energy flows and that’s what grows.”
...Tom Brady
Wow!! That's deep. Almost as good as:
"Love grows, where my Rosemary goes, and nobody knows like me."
...Edison Lighthouse
...Tom Brady
Wow!! That's deep. Almost as good as:
"Love grows, where my Rosemary goes, and nobody knows like me."
...Edison Lighthouse
1
Bet against HIM? nO WAY.....THE GUY IS A WINNER....
I am not sure that this is not a significant competitive advantage. Turnovers are keys to winning a game. From playing catch with a football, it is easy tell the balls are easier to throw And catch, distance is not that much affected...the link below is a great discussion on the incredibly low fumble rate of the Patriots team for several years. Couple this with a great coach and QB...their persistent dominance makes more sense.
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/25/7887057/patriots-deflategate-fumbl...
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/25/7887057/patriots-deflategate-fumbl...
1
Excellent link -- and a compelling rationale that the Patriots have been systematically under-inflating balls for years for an across-the-board advantage in all aspects of offensive play. One thing I would change about your comment-- Change "incredibly low fumble rate" to "statistically improbable fumble rate".
1
Three alternative reasons: (1) Focus on the fundamentals of carrying the ball properly; (2) Use of poor quality balls in practice; (3) guys who tend to fumble find themselves on the sideline watching rather than being in the game.
If you can't be 6'4, an athlete in prime condition, work out two to three times a day and enjoy cheeseburgers and Oreos on a semi-regular basis, what hope is there for the rest of us...?
31
Cheeseburgers and oreos are a recent phenomenon. Up until about 1950 even in America there were hungry people. Oops, there still are. If you shouldn't eat an Oreo, donate the Oreo fund to the nearest soup kitchen.
Once you adopt a healthy diet and reap the benefits in terms of physical and mental improvement, you will have no desire for cheeseburgers and Oreos. Poisoning yourself is not an indulgence, it's insanity.
Throughout this whole week, one aspect has blasted away at me more than anything: under the anonymity of social media people will be incredibly mean. I have read comments, comments that far outnumber ones coming from a base of sportsmanship, that make me feel uncomfortable raising children in this society. Both sides waging a war bent on humiliating each other. For the last couple of decades we've become more focused on crushing and embarrassing opponents than celebrating our own victory. What happened to sportsmanship? Especially the notion of respecting your opposition? Congratulating the victor and the loser and shaking hands? Its alarming how the nation, at least the online nation, is behaving. Don't get me started on how the media is driving this either... we're talking about two pounds of pressure in a ball that was not a factor in the outcome... In the end, we are going into Super Bowl week pointing a finger at a great athlete who deserves more for his accomplishments. It is sad. I was hoping we'd get a little more insight into who Tom Brady really is in this article but, just like the author points out, he remains hard to get a grip on. Nonetheless, in my opinion he has done more with less than any other quarterback. He deserves to be in the running for best ever. Watch him week in and week out. He's a machine. From all accounts its due to a relentless drive and work ethic.
I wish him luck!
I wish him luck!
55
Mike, I like your "hard to get a grip on" comment. Given "Deflategate" it was a missed editorial opportunity for a headline, caption or lead!
Brady is a hall of famer, no question. The problem with this 'article' is it's an ad:
Brady is retiring soon, this reporter has been trying to interview Brady for a while and finally gets to interview Brady now that he and best friend/trainer/business partner are looking for their next income stream. How does the NYTimes let this guy use them this way?
Brady is retiring soon, this reporter has been trying to interview Brady for a while and finally gets to interview Brady now that he and best friend/trainer/business partner are looking for their next income stream. How does the NYTimes let this guy use them this way?
19
Brady and Guru are a commodity like any other. Fair trade-the NY Times doesn't just sell on fair and balanced.
What did I learn from this article? That Tom Brady is a shallow, superficial know-nothing. Perhaps that's why he's portrayed as elusive. There's nothing there.
42
The headline should read "Tom Brady Cannot Stop CHEATING"!
First - on his actress/supermodel girlfriend
Second - stealing plays via hidden, illegal cameras
Third - deflating the balls
Fourth - who knows whatever else they've gotten away with?
Gotta love it, though. This article still manages to idolize an exposed cheater. What does this say about the people we call 'heroes,' and about ourselves, in how we come to find ourselves being 'fans.'
First - on his actress/supermodel girlfriend
Second - stealing plays via hidden, illegal cameras
Third - deflating the balls
Fourth - who knows whatever else they've gotten away with?
Gotta love it, though. This article still manages to idolize an exposed cheater. What does this say about the people we call 'heroes,' and about ourselves, in how we come to find ourselves being 'fans.'
16
First - Tom cheated on his wife ? when ? with who ? any proof ?
Second - Tom was operating said camera ? an overacheiving assistant maybe ?
Third - Do you really think it makes that much of a difference and if it does, don't you wonder why no ones else has done it already ?
Fourth - Really ? maybe they control the weather too, right ?
Second - Tom was operating said camera ? an overacheiving assistant maybe ?
Third - Do you really think it makes that much of a difference and if it does, don't you wonder why no ones else has done it already ?
Fourth - Really ? maybe they control the weather too, right ?
4
So brady is an adulterer? Evidence? He hid cameras (when would he ever work a camera for this organization?)? Evidence? He deflated balls? Evidence? Or is evidence just not necessary any more? Certainly not for boneheads, I suppose. But he is one of the all time greats, and thankfully, we get more evidence for that point at least 16 times per year (fortunately, more like 19 times per year at this pace).
1
This has nothing to do with football, but it does with character: Tom ditched his former girlfriend, also a model, when she was pregnant, to take up his current girlfriend/wife. Family values? Any found here?
1
As a Seahawks fan, I wonder once again about the "never anything about the seahawks phenomenon. It really is a strange thing. Nothing about our quarterback Russell Wilson. Nothing about the many many records the seahawks have broken since Carroll took over the team. Nothing about the greatest defense in the history of the game. Nothing, nada, no story about how our guys from the mean streets of Compton Ca., studied hard and won a place in NFL history, nothing. Nope. Always about the "White" darlings of the NFL........and I am white. It really is amazing.
59
Russell Wilson is a great QB and will become greater as time goes on. He is also an amazing person and there is much there to be admired in his charity and humbleness. Having said that, I also believe that Tom Brady is a good person and equally humble and charitable towards his fellow human being. Pete Carroll eh not so much, although he's done well by Seattle he has some skeletons in his closet.
This whole affair reeks of schadenfreude.
This whole affair reeks of schadenfreude.
1
Oh, come on, I'm a Jets fan, and I get it. Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots of their era have an exceptional, long-lived record of success. The possibility of consistent cheating on top of consistent innovation, discipline and hard work just makes their story all the more Shakespearean and fascinating. Nobody disrespects the Seahawks, but maybe when Russell, Richard and Pete are going into their 6th Super Bowl in 13 years, they'll warrant this level of attention.
1
Oh I know... Richard Sherman didn't receive ANY attention last year. Pure silence.
It isn't about whiteness here. The pats are the dynasty, your hawks are the relative new kids on the block. Lose this one, and then come back to win your second next year. The media will swarm.
It isn't about whiteness here. The pats are the dynasty, your hawks are the relative new kids on the block. Lose this one, and then come back to win your second next year. The media will swarm.
Too much narrative from someone who is obviously a fan and not much of a sports commentator. Why is it that everybody has to fawn all over athletes who are really not all that interesting in anything they have to say off the field? Do we always have to grovel before then and then, like the writer of this article, pathetically claim that there is any human link between us and them? They live in a rarefied and unreal world that is totally removed from the rest of humanity. On top of that, Brady is married to the super-model Giselle Bundchen, who is probably worth a 150 million in her own right and who by design is equally as impenetrable and vacuous as her husband. Come on! Lets get real.
37
Actually, Gisele is worth over $300 million on her own. You obviously know little about her. She's far from vacuous. She's an advocate for the environment, health and women. She's also a great business woman.
15
So you are not able to admire a man who has overcome difficulties, who loves what he does, who works hard to maintain his strength and flexibility, and who uses his brain to overcome every obstacle?
I'm not a football fan (my Family Doctor self just hates to see bodies get hurt), but I think Brady's character is a good role model for everyone: especially that flexibility thing. When you get old and hardened is when your brittle self breaks.
I'm not a football fan (my Family Doctor self just hates to see bodies get hurt), but I think Brady's character is a good role model for everyone: especially that flexibility thing. When you get old and hardened is when your brittle self breaks.
2
But you took the time to read it. Enough said.
I'm sure that somewhere in an attic in Brady's house there is a picture of a broken down old quarterback that becomes ever more broken down and old as Brady continues to play and remain unmarked by what is, after all, a very violent game. Perhaps he bought it from Dorian Grey?
14
Would have been funnier if you said Peyton Manning...
As a football fan I've been following this story closely and find the condemnations totally over-blown, but still, it is a GREAT real life teaching tool for kids old enough to understand the concepts.
1. You lose your credibility once you cheat, even if it's a little cheat. Once you lose your reputation and credibility very few will give you the benefit of the doubt.
2. If people don't like you (because say, you lie and or cheat perceived or real), they will only be on your side for as long as things go well. Loyalty is the first thing to go if you are not liked. I think the Pats were universally respected but never really liked.
But with regards to Tom Brady, I think there's an additional element at play here - jealousy and resentment. He and his wife live a charmed life escaping the grasp of even other mega celebrities. Not only are they beautiful and wealthy beyond belief but they are actually deeply in love and have a happy home! The final lesson I taught my kids is this: Don't let jealousy cloud your judgment. Just be you and focus on being the best you can be without trying to top the next person. But I think this is an antithetical to the mentality of most athletes, thus why we see so many on screen pouncing on this story with a gleam in their eye.
1. You lose your credibility once you cheat, even if it's a little cheat. Once you lose your reputation and credibility very few will give you the benefit of the doubt.
2. If people don't like you (because say, you lie and or cheat perceived or real), they will only be on your side for as long as things go well. Loyalty is the first thing to go if you are not liked. I think the Pats were universally respected but never really liked.
But with regards to Tom Brady, I think there's an additional element at play here - jealousy and resentment. He and his wife live a charmed life escaping the grasp of even other mega celebrities. Not only are they beautiful and wealthy beyond belief but they are actually deeply in love and have a happy home! The final lesson I taught my kids is this: Don't let jealousy cloud your judgment. Just be you and focus on being the best you can be without trying to top the next person. But I think this is an antithetical to the mentality of most athletes, thus why we see so many on screen pouncing on this story with a gleam in their eye.
44
The NFL is a game like most professional sport full of individuals and teams "cheating." PED's , intentional holdings, pass interference, you name it.
For people to use the word "cheating" its if they have this illusion that the world of sport or even the world outside of sports is as pure as driven snow.
There's the world we wished we lived in and the world that we live in. People need to stay balanced in their perspectives and expectations.
For people to use the word "cheating" its if they have this illusion that the world of sport or even the world outside of sports is as pure as driven snow.
There's the world we wished we lived in and the world that we live in. People need to stay balanced in their perspectives and expectations.
7
Brady is a great player, perhaps the best QB around. He also shows a lot of will power and winning drive. However, his teams' reading of other teams plays and deflated balls may tarnish his reputation and leave an asterisk next to his name. What a shame. The Patriots have had a great team and didn't need any dirty tricks to win.
6
We shall see what sort of team they put on the field ten years from now, by which time both BB and TB will be long gone, maybe Kraft too. If they are still winning while surrounded by controversy, then one could reasonably conclude the cheater label is endemic to the Patriots. If not, or if they are not winning at a similar pace with today, then the cheater label will apply only to the BB/TB era.
Spoiler alert; I have been a Patriots fan since Babe Parille was their quarterback. The NFL Referees replaced the under inflated balls at half-time when the score was 14 to 7. The second half was played with footballs inflated to NFL rules and the final score was 45 to 7. Fact, the Patriots scored more points with footballs inflated to NFL rules. I'd believe the Patriots were hampered by the under inflated footballs in the first half of the AFC Championship Game.
Great article and much appreciated!
Great article and much appreciated!
71
That's not a spoiler alert; it's full disclosure.
1. I love football/college and pro 2. I am a woman/I have never played the game. 3. We are and will always be a Pac 12 family. 4. As for the pros/ we go from the Chargers to the Patriots (with Aaron and Payton in there for me) 5. Pete the Cheat left my beloved Trojans high and when he ran as the abuses were exposed. 6. Other than those with wagers on any game, none has a dog in the fight but 32 owners and the organized crime which keeps it all floating.
So, kids, enjoy the game on Sunday/have a great time w/ family and friends b/c I will. At 6:30 or 7:00 PST it will be over and we go back to our real lives. OK!
So, kids, enjoy the game on Sunday/have a great time w/ family and friends b/c I will. At 6:30 or 7:00 PST it will be over and we go back to our real lives. OK!
As a lifelong Jet fan, I'm infuriated to like this piece. He really is superb at his job.
17
Hi, Gordon. Obviously, since I'm a Bostonian, I'm a lifelong Pats fan, but thought your comment was honest and classy. I'm going to miss Rex Ryan -- probably better as a defensive coordinator but lots of fun to watch at a press conference (as opposed to Belichick). I'm a retired journalist, so I'll take Rex's spunky candor any old day.
1
I don't know what to make of Deflategate and Tom Brady's possible role in it, but man, if anybody is a testament to the will to power, he is it. He is one determined person.
18
I'm a big Seahawks fan. I'm looking forward to the SB game. Brady and the Pats are a good team. So are the Hawks. Let it be a good game. Maybe we can watch it without hearing about deflated footballs and all the other drama on which fair weather fans thrive and just get into FOOTBALL. Ya think?
41
Gisele to reporters after a game where Welker dropped a big touchdown pass, "My husband cannot both throw the ball and catch the ball"! Oh, wasn't she upset! I loved it, it always makes me laugh when I think about it.
I like Tom. I hope the Pats win Sunday. Most of all, I hope all of them - Pats and Seahawks - stay healthy.
I like Tom. I hope the Pats win Sunday. Most of all, I hope all of them - Pats and Seahawks - stay healthy.
22
All that money and he has to eat avocado ice cream and raw macaroons for dessert? And what is a 'raw' macaroon anyway? After that kind of sacrifice I hope he gets his reward of winning the Super Bowl (and if not - Tom, have a burger and a glass of red wine- you deserve it, you had a great year no matter what!)
17
I wonder how many of the jealous Brady-haters really listened to his press conference last week. He opened himself to answer the questions of the feeding-frenzy media and didn't dodge any issues. It seems like most of the haters who've commented here are spouting their own pre-conceived notions without listening to any facts. What I saw was a very composed and articulate person without the least bit of egoistic defensiveness. In addition to all his remarkable athletic accomplishments, these qualities deserve admiration. This Super Bowl will be worth watching and Seattle would be wise not to underestimate the "old guy"!
22
John, He may be a great QB which the Giants have beaten twice and I'm glad to see you have no issues with him dumping his girlfriend and baby for the super model.
I think we got it John. Defend away.
I think we got it John. Defend away.
18
John, he was composed, yes. But there's no question that he lied, of course he knows how he likes his footballs to feel to his touch. Is he a great QB, Mr. Cool, Terrific? Yes, no doubt. Did he lie? You bet. Asked, "are you a cheater," he answered (roughly, don't have exact quote) "I don't believe I am." The right answer would have been "No!"
You'll see, John, it's going to come out.
You'll see, John, it's going to come out.
5
Let the man who never sinned throw the first stone, Peter.
1
Speaking as someone who has lived in Foxborough, I enjoyed the writer's description of Patriot Place as emerging "along a could-be-anywhere blotch of car dealerships, billboards and fast-food restaurants on Route 1 between Boston and Providence, R.I." This is right on the money. However, the writer's subsequent suggestion that fans who assume the town proper to be some kind of quaint New England village are woefully misguided is itself woefully misguided. Route 1 where the stadium is cuts across a northern corner of Foxborough, which down south, in its historic heart. has a lovely old town square and country-ish lanes that wind away between handsome century-old houses, patches of woods, fine stone walls, and even the occasional pasture with horses or cattle. Except for the aforementioned and comparatively remote Route 1, the town is blissfully free of ugly modern developments. Norman Rockwell might have scratched his head over Gillette Stadium but he would have felt right at home in Foxborough proper.
18
Great article, cover why Brady's so great.
Admit it, who's a better representative for the NFL: Richard Sherman, Richie Incognito or Tom Brady?
Who's always the one who's all about team work? You never hear gloating or trash talking from him, well, maybe not off the field, you never hear him putting himself above the team.
If you compare quarterback's win rates to their salary, Tom Brady is extremely underpaid.
No other quarterback in the league or other player in the league would have taken the salary cuts he's taken over the years for the benefit of the team, no one!
The guy is all class, it has nothing at all to do with cheating or race or any other inherent benefits. It's all about hard work, dedication, sweat, effort.
Admit it, who's a better representative for the NFL: Richard Sherman, Richie Incognito or Tom Brady?
Who's always the one who's all about team work? You never hear gloating or trash talking from him, well, maybe not off the field, you never hear him putting himself above the team.
If you compare quarterback's win rates to their salary, Tom Brady is extremely underpaid.
No other quarterback in the league or other player in the league would have taken the salary cuts he's taken over the years for the benefit of the team, no one!
The guy is all class, it has nothing at all to do with cheating or race or any other inherent benefits. It's all about hard work, dedication, sweat, effort.
114
Tom doesn't take pay cuts, he restructures. Make no mistake, he is getting his money. He is just re-arranging how and when he gets it to give the team flexibility with the salary cap.
1
Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about?
Brady!
Right On
They say this cat Brady is one bad motha...
Shut your mouth!
But I'm talkin' 'bout Brady...
Then we can dig it!
Tom Brady is one Bad Motha...shut your mouth!..But I'm talking about Brady!
Brady!
Right On
They say this cat Brady is one bad motha...
Shut your mouth!
But I'm talkin' 'bout Brady...
Then we can dig it!
Tom Brady is one Bad Motha...shut your mouth!..But I'm talking about Brady!
4
I'm surprised the author never mentions Brady's girlfriend that he left hanging with a baby.
30
There is that.
4
Because this doesn't have anything to do with his career in football?
5
You're so right Peter! I can't believe how Tom Brady "left hanging" an actress/model worth $215M+. My god she must be in trouble. And to think they had a baby out of wed lock and their relationship didnt work out!? I can't believe when they broke up and he found out 2 months later she was pregnant that they didnt get back together. Also, considering how much a bad person he is, I can't believe she says Tom and her son have a wonderful relationship. ALL OF THIS SURPRISES ME!!!!
Tom Brady is by far the worst person on the planet.
Tom Brady is by far the worst person on the planet.
3
I'm a long-time Buffalo Bills fan, at their games when it was the Boston Patriots. I've always cheered against them, and still will. But, Brady is pretty good.
7
I never thought I would hear a professional football player use the Sanskrit word "mudita," but Brady's definition was pretty accurate. It basically means finding joy in the happiness of others...the opposite of that German word, "schadenfreude," which means finding joy in the misery of others.
That Brady deems it a good quality to have says something about him. Having said that, I am still looking forward to a Seahawks win. Nothing personal, Tom.
That Brady deems it a good quality to have says something about him. Having said that, I am still looking forward to a Seahawks win. Nothing personal, Tom.
75
I have a feeling this story is going to attract a lot of haters like has been the case for over a decade since Brady has helped to solidify the NFL's modern-day dynasty. Let the talk, Brady doesn't have to prove anything to anyone.
22
I think the best thing that ever happened to Tom Brady was being drafted in the six round. I bet he thinks about it before very game and then goes out there with a huge chip on his shoulder and proceeds to destroy each and every team that passed him up.
34
Do your car tires lose air pressure in the winter or do you deflate them?
20
why, emma, did only the patriot's footballs deflate? how many years do you think they've been doing this?
3
Why have this issue NEVER been mentioned in any professional football game before this EVER?
The answer? Because there was an unspoken "gentleman's agreement among all parties (NFL, officials, teams) to allow each and every QB to use balls prepared the way he likes them.
Why? Because it didn't matter enough to change.
For evidence: The Patriots/Colts AFC Championship.
The answer? Because there was an unspoken "gentleman's agreement among all parties (NFL, officials, teams) to allow each and every QB to use balls prepared the way he likes them.
Why? Because it didn't matter enough to change.
For evidence: The Patriots/Colts AFC Championship.
Please. Many players are more talented, enigmatic and don't deflate their footballs, but Brady is a good-looking white guy, that's why he gets the cover of the NYTimes.
15
You've never watched football, have you? And you haven't heard of all the other QBs saying they like footballs a certain way? Not everything is a "promotion of the white man." He's one of two Super Bowl QBs. There's a ton of stories on Russell Wilson, too. This is the NEW YORK TIMES. Who do you want a story on: Geno Smith? Michael Vick? Not every story is a race issue. There are more private people than Tom, but there are none more private that are as famous as he is. Those that are more private... They don't do interviews for stories about themselves. Because they're private...
20
Name a more talented player, including mental capacity, not just run, jump, hit.
Nobody close.
Nobody close.
This isn't always a productive game to play, but in this case I believe that it's appropriate. Replace "white" with "black" in your sentence and tell me if it sounds racist. LaGarrette Blount is featured on the current homepage of The Sporting News website. What if I were to say "many more players are more crucial to their team and have better comeback stories, but Blount is a good-looking black guy so that's why he's on the home page." NYT would take that comment down, and rightfully so. I'll check back and see if the moderators have done their jobs in the case of your comment.
Beyond that, Brady has yet to be implicated by any credible source in the ball deflation nonsense, his public facade is rarely pulled back, and he is objectively one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
Try taking off the "everything is a result of racism" glasses once in a while and you might find a more nuanced and more hospitable world than the one you currently perceive.
Beyond that, Brady has yet to be implicated by any credible source in the ball deflation nonsense, his public facade is rarely pulled back, and he is objectively one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
Try taking off the "everything is a result of racism" glasses once in a while and you might find a more nuanced and more hospitable world than the one you currently perceive.
2
And when Tom's brain is repeatedly concussed and he's shaky, in pain, and depressed then America will be like Tom: without a memory. Kind of how we remember our other broken patriots we had called heroes when they were on the field of battle.
5
He didn't beat his kids, he didn't punch his wife. He's a celebrity who truly seems to have a nice family life and seems to be devote to his wife as she is to him.
He's worked and sacrificed for what he has and it went well for him.
On the field he might be a trash-talking competitor (so was Michael Jordan), but off the field he's smart and gracious.
I'd call that a pretty good role model for kids - and much better than most of the NFL players who have been making headlines.
He's worked and sacrificed for what he has and it went well for him.
On the field he might be a trash-talking competitor (so was Michael Jordan), but off the field he's smart and gracious.
I'd call that a pretty good role model for kids - and much better than most of the NFL players who have been making headlines.
280
He also does a fair bit of work w the Best Buddies Program in the Boston area.
1
I tell anyone who will listen to watch this man and enjoy his many talents as long as you can. We will never again in our lifetimes witness this form of greatness. Legions of players have come and gone since 2001. This guy is poetry in motion. All the haters (Lewis, Brunelle, The Bus, etc,) have all been abused like rented mules by this guy, over and over again. He's pure class and grace. When he loses, he praises the other team. The NFL knows that he is the number 1 attraction. Treat him as such.
Little Dicky Sherman of Seattle and his apparent mental illnesses will long be forgotten when Brady gives his hall of fame speech.
Little Dicky Sherman of Seattle and his apparent mental illnesses will long be forgotten when Brady gives his hall of fame speech.
72
>
These guys hold on every play, which is cheating. Some times they get caught most of the time they do not. The question is did Brady tell the ball boy to let air out of the balls. And even then, he may not be accountable. If Brady told him to go rob a bank, would Brady be subject to prosecution? I doubt it. If my boss tells me to go rob a bank, is he accountable?
These guys hold on every play, which is cheating. Some times they get caught most of the time they do not. The question is did Brady tell the ball boy to let air out of the balls. And even then, he may not be accountable. If Brady told him to go rob a bank, would Brady be subject to prosecution? I doubt it. If my boss tells me to go rob a bank, is he accountable?
4
"If Brady told him to go rob a bank, would Brady be subject to prosecution? I doubt it. If my boss tells me to go rob a bank, is he accountable?"
Not a lawyer but I believe that is called something like "soliciting a felony".
Not a lawyer but I believe that is called something like "soliciting a felony".
If Belichick told me to go rob a bank, I would probably drive to the first one available.
1
If Tom Brady tells the ball boy to let air out of the footballs so he, Tom Brady, secures an advantage, then Brady is surely culpable.
If I tell you to rob a bank with no benefit accruing to me, then I'm not responsible for your actions.
If I tell you to rob a bank with no benefit accruing to me, then I'm not responsible for your actions.
1
I am not a big fan of football but I have enjoyed watching a good game now and again. NE Pats have been great fun to watch. I do worry about our nation's psyche when so much time and money is spent vilifying sports figures (and glorifying them too). It seems that we as a nation are rushing around to find scapegoats at every turn or idols to hold aloft. Crazy, isn't it? Not sure the final verdict has been decided yet so until the evidence is completely reviewed, can we at least please refrain from name calling?
13
Jim Bob Brady!!
I'm 55 and have had any number of sports heroes, but almost all of them when I was young. Tom Brady is one of the few who I took to when I grew older. Forget his physical abilities. It is really his drive, his mental toughness, his intelligence and also his constant courtesy in the face of provocation and unjustified meanness by many others, reeking of their own jealousy and insecurity (I except those who hate him on principle because they are fans of AFC Eastern division teams; I don't do the home team thing myself, but I know that's the way local fans feel and I'm sure he appreciates the enthusiasm of New England fans too).
There has been a lack of even a hint of scandal, professional or personal, until this week, in his long career. Even heroic figures are human and subject to error and worse, cover up, and I don't expect him to be perfect, but I would be devastated to learn that TB had anything to do with DeflateGate. I have no facts anyone else doesn't have, of course, and I know when I'm biased. But, I don't believe.
Personally, I think Seattle has the better team and I really like some of their players too (Wilson, Lynch, Chancellor, Sherman, among them). But, I'm rooting for and picking NE.
There has been a lack of even a hint of scandal, professional or personal, until this week, in his long career. Even heroic figures are human and subject to error and worse, cover up, and I don't expect him to be perfect, but I would be devastated to learn that TB had anything to do with DeflateGate. I have no facts anyone else doesn't have, of course, and I know when I'm biased. But, I don't believe.
Personally, I think Seattle has the better team and I really like some of their players too (Wilson, Lynch, Chancellor, Sherman, among them). But, I'm rooting for and picking NE.
59
The loss of pressure due to the cold has been demonstrated by several experiments. "Deflategate" now exists only in the minds of the haters.
1
Eli Manning outplayed Brady in Brady's last two Superbowls.
9
"Eli Manning outplayed Brady in Brady's last two Superbowls."
I assume you have never watched football: 1) there is never a time when the QBs play against each other or play at the same time; 2) Brady handed his defense a lead in both games; Brady's/NE's defense gave away both games; 3) amending point #2, the defense gave up one of the greatest catches ever made long after the play should have been whistled "in the grass". Had that play been properly officiated, the play would have been over. All of that said, an amazing catch. Eli was only involved in that play, not the player who really made the play what it was.
I assume you have never watched football: 1) there is never a time when the QBs play against each other or play at the same time; 2) Brady handed his defense a lead in both games; Brady's/NE's defense gave away both games; 3) amending point #2, the defense gave up one of the greatest catches ever made long after the play should have been whistled "in the grass". Had that play been properly officiated, the play would have been over. All of that said, an amazing catch. Eli was only involved in that play, not the player who really made the play what it was.
9
Eli Manning's also "mailed it in" the last three seasons, unlike any other quarterback before.
That's the difference between Brady and Manning. Brady's never satisfied.
That's the difference between Brady and Manning. Brady's never satisfied.
12
The Giants won both games through miraculous flukes, just as they won their Super Bowl against Buffalo. Brady should really be going for no. 6!
2
Leibovich wrote the Patriots were "caught illicitly videotaping the hand signals of opposing coaches." Not true!
There is not and never has been a rule in the NFL against taping hand signals. The rule the Pats violated was taping from the ground level rather than high above the playing field in an enclosed room where you could not be seen.
A rhesus monkey could figure out the hand signals and the resulting defensive formations without taping. Most teams, like the Patriots, taped hand signals, which made it easier to spot tendencies while studying opposing team's games.
There is not and never has been a rule in the NFL against taping hand signals. The rule the Pats violated was taping from the ground level rather than high above the playing field in an enclosed room where you could not be seen.
A rhesus monkey could figure out the hand signals and the resulting defensive formations without taping. Most teams, like the Patriots, taped hand signals, which made it easier to spot tendencies while studying opposing team's games.
26
Tom Brady and the NE Patriots have some idea of what they will face in the Seattle Seahawks but it's unlike anything they have faced all season. Seattle is noted for its defense and the "Legion of Boom" swagger ready to intercept passes from Brady. At the same time, their defense hasn't dealt with the kind of Beast Mode running attack by Marshawn Lynch nor the craftiness and smart play by the best QB in the league, Russell Wilson.
Seattle won't blow the Patriots out but it will be clear that the new generation QB Wilson will outfox the old veteran just like he did with Manning in last year's Super Bowl.
Seattle won't blow the Patriots out but it will be clear that the new generation QB Wilson will outfox the old veteran just like he did with Manning in last year's Super Bowl.
4
Pleeease. I would have thought that your overwrought worship of the Seahawks would be downsized to realistic proportions after they played so terribly for 57 minutes in the championship game. #NotThatGood
10
You're right, they did play 57 minutes of terrible football vs. GB but they know how to win games and that was demonstrated in the final two minutes plus overtime. I don't look for this to be a blowout but SEA are loaded with weapons to get the job done.
5
But that is classic Seahawks football. They are the most disorganized mayhem playing ball today. Not a straight line in any game, however they win when it is absolutely necessary. Just ask anyone from Green Bay.
I find the most disquieting aspect of the ball pressure affaire is the number of people who are untroubled by a moral rule that "cheating is OK if you don't get caught". And if you do get caught, it's OK because you really wanted to win and besides other people were doing it.
As far as Mr. Brady is concerned, he knows within what range the ball should be inflated to meet the rules. And as can any high school, college or pro quarterback, center or punter, Mr. Brady does not even need to think to know if the ball is under or over inflated. He knows if it feels right or not. Period.
And finally, why does the NFL make rules which have procedures that are so convoluted cheating is so easy? As sports rules go, a ball pressure rule is about as easy as it gets to set up a fair procedure. Off hand, I can't think of another sport that has this kind of problem.
I see this kind of behavior in many aspects of our life. And I, for one, do not think it is a road we want to keep going down. And if we don't change we will go down that road because it is how we are teaching our kids to behave.
As far as Mr. Brady is concerned, he knows within what range the ball should be inflated to meet the rules. And as can any high school, college or pro quarterback, center or punter, Mr. Brady does not even need to think to know if the ball is under or over inflated. He knows if it feels right or not. Period.
And finally, why does the NFL make rules which have procedures that are so convoluted cheating is so easy? As sports rules go, a ball pressure rule is about as easy as it gets to set up a fair procedure. Off hand, I can't think of another sport that has this kind of problem.
I see this kind of behavior in many aspects of our life. And I, for one, do not think it is a road we want to keep going down. And if we don't change we will go down that road because it is how we are teaching our kids to behave.
26
How could the refs who handled the balls for the entire first half not have known that the balls were underinflated? Seems to me that if the refs, who also inspected the balls before the game, then Tom Brady might not have known, either. He deserves the benefit of the doubt until the investigation turns up something against him.
33
Doesn't an official, after every play, touch the ball? Why didn't they know if the ball is under inflated? Shouldn't they know if it feels right or not. Period?
1
In the age of metrosexual wimps, Brady is Sargeant York and Audie Murphy all rolled into one. He may be a nice guy but between actresses, models, Kraft, air needles, etc I am rooting for Seattle. Enough is enough, I prefer the journey of Jeremy Lin as a role model
8
So, basically, because of his success with beautiful women, his niceness and an one unsupported accusations, you are rooting for the guys who swagger when they win and make statements like Sherman made after the NFC championship game about his opponent. Fair enough, but those are pretty much the reasons I'm rooting for him and against them. Both are great teams though. Enjoy the game.
13
Here's another funny thing - "he seems entitled." Judgements based on what someone "seems" to another person is why we as humans have wars, fights, work conflicts, marital discord, and bullies.
Please sir/madam, tell me what I must say or how I must walk, talk, look or smell so that I don't "seem entitled" to you. There's this great thing called Mindfullness that can really help you break free of the hatin'
Please sir/madam, tell me what I must say or how I must walk, talk, look or smell so that I don't "seem entitled" to you. There's this great thing called Mindfullness that can really help you break free of the hatin'
23
And the subject at hand does nothing but give 120% every day at his job. His success came the old fashioned way; he earned it.
14
I'm going against the grain here: Cam Newton is a way better QB than Tom, and will accumulate 6 Super Bowl rings in the next 9 years. #keeppounding
1
Said in jest, certainly.
6
Haha. There are comic book heroes.. and then there are real men
1
Well, he's a much better runner, I'll give you that. And tough as nails. Otherwise, hope you aren't putting any money on that, Gregg.
2
Enigmatic means "mysterious." Brady is the opposite. He's perfectly easy to read & understand, with all the classic values and attributes of a great sportsman. He's an archetype of simple honest hard work, and his success proves it. If anything he's just a bit more modern in his preparation, whereby his game planning is computerized and his workout regimen and diet seem to be preserving his abilities a bit better than like quarterbacks from the past eras.
123
I agree: enigmatic is that last word which I would use. Some people find transparency to be confusing. Brady is an incredibly fierce competitor and works at his game like no other QB before him. Like many successful people, he is incredibly driven and probably somewhat monomaniacal. At the same time, he seems "centered" and I find it hard to believe he would value any victory obtained by subterfuge. It is easy to hate his looks, his lifestyle and his success, but I chose to believe that however much he may have hit the familial and genetic lottery, he has worked pretty hard for his success.
14
The easy reason to believe he's not cheating is the obvious one: the error was caught in mid-game because the rules say, "the balls will be checked." He wants to win, but he's neither stupid nor irresponsible.
I disagree that it's easy to hate his various gifts, that makes no common sense to me at all.
I disagree that it's easy to hate his various gifts, that makes no common sense to me at all.
Watching Brady speak reminds me of having watched Lance Armstrong speak.
25
Perhaps. And I'll remind you that Lance, and all the rest of his cohort were products of their time, which included getting advantage where it was to be found. And Lance had to pedal his bike, there were no engines, batteries, sailing sheets or other aids - he rode the road to his wins.
Brady, and other quarterbacks and players look for the advantage where they can, but they must still throw, run, and catch to be successful. And they all look for the edge. During the Colts game, Brady was both kneed in the head (not hard, I'll admit, but still blatantly) which knocked him back over as he was trying to rise after being tackled, and then finger poked in the eye by a Colts player - neither was called by a ref. Is this not cheating? Is it looking for the edge, to maim a opposing player, or to rattle him? Why are there not hundreds of articles about this?
No, this is about taking a jealously hated man down, by whatever toehold will serve. And still he had to play - does anyone not blinded by hatred think that the final score of 45-7 would have been any different with footballs that were slightly firmer?
Brady, and other quarterbacks and players look for the advantage where they can, but they must still throw, run, and catch to be successful. And they all look for the edge. During the Colts game, Brady was both kneed in the head (not hard, I'll admit, but still blatantly) which knocked him back over as he was trying to rise after being tackled, and then finger poked in the eye by a Colts player - neither was called by a ref. Is this not cheating? Is it looking for the edge, to maim a opposing player, or to rattle him? Why are there not hundreds of articles about this?
No, this is about taking a jealously hated man down, by whatever toehold will serve. And still he had to play - does anyone not blinded by hatred think that the final score of 45-7 would have been any different with footballs that were slightly firmer?
He's an intense guy. No doubt about it. He seems way more interesting than a lot of athletes.
19
Tom Brady is the Eddie Haskell of football. (Look up the name, kids. Also look up Bridget Moynahan.) The NFL has done and will do nothing about "deflategate" till after the Super Bowl, if at all, and it will be a slap on the wrist at most. Of course the refs did nothing during the Colts game, because they themselves are part of the whole racket. Meanwhile, Brady boosters would do well to check out the interesting data available online about the Patriot's freakishly and suspiciously low fumble rate over the past few years. Numbers and facts are funny that way.
24
Pretty simple to explain. Those who fumble don't play. Ask Stephan Ridley. So while some teams are willing to make the same errors over and over and give fumble prone players more opportunities to fumble, the Patriots weed those with a propensity for fumbling out.
19
Perhaps the fumble rate has something to do with the fact that the coach immediately benches anyone who fumbles. Where is Steven Ridley relative to the Patriots' roster?
6
I agree with your point, players who fumble don't play and they have a coach and coaches who belabor this point over and over again in practice, so good coaching leads to fewer fumbles. Players who fumble during games are put on the bench, it's that simple, it's happened over and over again.
It's "Stevan" Ridley by the way and he's out for the year because of injuries not because of his fumbling, just for the record.
Yes, we Patriots fan do tremble whenever Ridley has the ball, fearing he's going to fumble.
It's "Stevan" Ridley by the way and he's out for the year because of injuries not because of his fumbling, just for the record.
Yes, we Patriots fan do tremble whenever Ridley has the ball, fearing he's going to fumble.
2
"DeflateGate" is largely a media invention: the findings thus far are amenable to a quantitative explanation:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/physicist-emailed-us-explain-exactly-14304...
Several excerpts from the above link follow just below...
So, now when the ball equilibrates with the environment, by cooling, the pressure will decrease, according to the Ideal Gas Law, particularly if the environment is significantly less warm than the environment where the ball was inflated and then checked by the referees. Obviously, it was a lot colder on the football field, and got even colder later in the evening.
This scenario, in my professional opinion, completely explains the data that has been reported.
Differences with the balls used by the Colts could easily be explained by different preparation procedures, or even longer waits between preparation and the referee check. Especially if the the Colts QB, Luck, likes higher initial ball pressure — as has been reported.
Now, I have something bad to say about the media. You pinheads have been convicting Belichick and Brady without the facts or doing an investigation.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/physicist-emailed-us-explain-exactly-14304...
Several excerpts from the above link follow just below...
So, now when the ball equilibrates with the environment, by cooling, the pressure will decrease, according to the Ideal Gas Law, particularly if the environment is significantly less warm than the environment where the ball was inflated and then checked by the referees. Obviously, it was a lot colder on the football field, and got even colder later in the evening.
This scenario, in my professional opinion, completely explains the data that has been reported.
Differences with the balls used by the Colts could easily be explained by different preparation procedures, or even longer waits between preparation and the referee check. Especially if the the Colts QB, Luck, likes higher initial ball pressure — as has been reported.
Now, I have something bad to say about the media. You pinheads have been convicting Belichick and Brady without the facts or doing an investigation.
67
I wonder why you think it matters how the ball came to be less than the regulation pressure. By the way, it also doesn't matter if no significant advantage is conveyed to a team if the ball is below that pressure, as the ESPN "scientist" was claiming. All that matters is that the NFL has set a range of acceptable ball pressure. The Patriots' balls were below that range. That means they violated the regulations. The equipment staff is responsible for ensuring the balls comply with regulations. So the only question is, who is in charge of the equipment staff? That's who should bear the blame and punishment.
1
No. The Patriots are responsible for providing footballs to the officials at the beginning of the game that comply. If atmospheric conditions - both cold and rain - cause the football to "come out of compliance" during the game, surely you are not going to argue that that constitutes "cheating" or "violating the rules".
That is why people "think it matters how the ball came to be less than the regulation pressure."
That is why people "think it matters how the ball came to be less than the regulation pressure."
One of the issues with the deflategate story so far has been a complete lack of comments from those that know the facts.
Between the Patriots and Colts there were 24 "game" footballs, 24 "backup" footballs, and 8 "kicking" footballs. Were all 56 balls tested at halftime and after the game? Were they then allowed to sit in a room kept at a similar temperature as the locker room and tested again to see if the pressure for the balls rose if they were within the 12.5 to 13.5 pounds allowed for in the rules? These seem like reasonable tests, particularly after it was discovered that all 12 of the Patriot's game balls were low (11 of the 12 were below the minimum allowed pressure and the 12th was either at 12.5 pounds exactly or a hair over). This data has not been reported.
Something else that was known but for some reason not widely reported is that the low pressure balls were discovered during the second quarter and that for the remainder of the second quarter the Patriots used the Colt's footballs. It's not clear if they used the Patriot's game balls or their backup balls. (source: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462315/article/colts-dqwell-jack...
Between the Patriots and Colts there were 24 "game" footballs, 24 "backup" footballs, and 8 "kicking" footballs. Were all 56 balls tested at halftime and after the game? Were they then allowed to sit in a room kept at a similar temperature as the locker room and tested again to see if the pressure for the balls rose if they were within the 12.5 to 13.5 pounds allowed for in the rules? These seem like reasonable tests, particularly after it was discovered that all 12 of the Patriot's game balls were low (11 of the 12 were below the minimum allowed pressure and the 12th was either at 12.5 pounds exactly or a hair over). This data has not been reported.
Something else that was known but for some reason not widely reported is that the low pressure balls were discovered during the second quarter and that for the remainder of the second quarter the Patriots used the Colt's footballs. It's not clear if they used the Patriot's game balls or their backup balls. (source: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000462315/article/colts-dqwell-jack...
He works hard. Heck, I even like Coach Belichick's press conferences. I'll be rooting for the Pats Sunday.
(By the way, while I am commenting, I think the NFL could lay off Marshawn Lynch. Since when is being chatty with the press a requirement of a football player? Do your talking on the field & show up for the press conference. That's even a good way to do it, in my opinion.)
(By the way, while I am commenting, I think the NFL could lay off Marshawn Lynch. Since when is being chatty with the press a requirement of a football player? Do your talking on the field & show up for the press conference. That's even a good way to do it, in my opinion.)
31
I like Brady. I wish he played in NYC on the Jets. As for the article, it could just have well have been titled "Alex Guerrero and his Healthy Living Tips". Nothing new about Brady was included. It sure was long but it was pretty boring.
8
So why am I still a Johnny Unitas man and not a Tom Brady man?
Brady has proved that he is tough and durable, but Unitas was the son of a coal miner, and he was really tough.
The story about him is that he once broke his nose in a game and when he reached the sideline he warned his coach (Weeb Ewbank) that if he tried to take him out of the game he would kill him.
I can picture Brady saying the same thing to Belichick.
The difference is Unitas meant it.
Unitas stuffed cotton up-his-nose, went back in and won the game.
Brady has proved that he is tough and durable, but Unitas was the son of a coal miner, and he was really tough.
The story about him is that he once broke his nose in a game and when he reached the sideline he warned his coach (Weeb Ewbank) that if he tried to take him out of the game he would kill him.
I can picture Brady saying the same thing to Belichick.
The difference is Unitas meant it.
Unitas stuffed cotton up-his-nose, went back in and won the game.
9
I think the more interesting story came from an interview with Art Donovan's wife -- Donovan was a member of the Unitas pass protection.
She said that the playoff money from the first championship was very welcome; they hadn't been able to buy a house until that season ended. Unitas laid the tile floors in the kitchen and bathroom, because he had laid tile for years in the off season, and she and her husband were grateful.
I'm not sure how this is relevant to the Brady profile. I did see Elizabeth Warren speak at a local event a few weeks ago. She was with her handlers, living in a completely different world than I do. Brady has more in common with Warren than with Unitas.
She said that the playoff money from the first championship was very welcome; they hadn't been able to buy a house until that season ended. Unitas laid the tile floors in the kitchen and bathroom, because he had laid tile for years in the off season, and she and her husband were grateful.
I'm not sure how this is relevant to the Brady profile. I did see Elizabeth Warren speak at a local event a few weeks ago. She was with her handlers, living in a completely different world than I do. Brady has more in common with Warren than with Unitas.
Note: Art Donovan played defensive tackle. He was not involved in pass protection.
Why Why Why do we as Americans have a bitter resentment toward anyone who is simply talented and happy and even a little lucky? For whatever vile reason (probably that horrid emotion jealousy) that's why PR firms always encourage their high profile clients to find something bad or sad or tragic to talk about. Why? Because if you're beautiful/handsome, talented, and smart they'll hate you. They (the public) need some dirt. Something bad so they don't feel someone has it too good. It's so gross. It's so pathetic. It's just rampant in our society too. It pretty much defines who we are as a society.
He's a great player. His life is pretty fabulous. Quit wishing someone ill.
He's a great player. His life is pretty fabulous. Quit wishing someone ill.
175
Exactly! He came from a normal family, worked his tail off, never accepted what people told him and took where he is! He deserves everything he's accomplished and has.
18
This society has a penchant for attenpting to snuff the goodness out of something and neuter it to nothing.
10
I respectfully disagree. It's not readers, we all want to know about and admire good people, but we're spoon fed negative stereotypes and stories by the media like Ray Rice. Look at the current fad for media to out "racists." Better still, think about this article - these are few and far between.
Looking forward to a Russell Wilson profile.
20
To me, anybody who can't seem to make move without his guru, life coach, massage, and diet/chef guy in his life 24x7 is precisely the kind of guy where a little less air in a football really matters.
And just the kind of guy who will see to making sure it is one more thing he wants, that gets done.
And it's really odd how that same guy can be ok with the idea that somebody messed with his footballs. Shouldn't he be demanding answers?
And just the kind of guy who will see to making sure it is one more thing he wants, that gets done.
And it's really odd how that same guy can be ok with the idea that somebody messed with his footballs. Shouldn't he be demanding answers?
105
How do you know he's not?? Besides, NFL is "investigating" - and Brady has a big game to focus on. What would you do?? Fritter away your time on a bunch of rumors or rally the team?
8
I could not agree more. If you have a life coach you must be cheating.
And while you are preparing for one of the biggest tests of your life you should be demanding answers to something a bunch of lawyers and investigators are looking into.
And while you are preparing for one of the biggest tests of your life you should be demanding answers to something a bunch of lawyers and investigators are looking into.
I would agree with suspecting him except...he's not Lance Armstrong. He has had a strong support system around him (parents, sisters, etc.) and has consistently overcome adversity (at Michigan, then the Draft, then the Patriots last QB, barely making the cut his rookie year) without cutting corners. Also, his reaction to the controversy at his early morning radio show. When asked about it, he started laughing, thinking, this is a joke right? Nah, he preps the balls to his liking, roughs them up and then spends his time making sure he knows his reads pre-game. That's my $0.02 worth. Hoping for a great game!
I think Brady has played as well this season as he has ever played. Even his personal running game has found a new life. I understand it a little better after reading this article.
19
Just doesn't seem fair to have it all, but he does, and wears it in pretty fine fashion. With all the bad publicity the NFL received this year, Brady is a breath of fresh air. These accusations will just be more of an incentive to win Sunday.
88
So what if the balls were deflated marginally?
Unlike say Cricket or baseball, the impact of that is not that significant due to the size and shape of the ball. By all accounts, outside temperature and condition differentials apparently cause deflation anyway. So it's not like the air pressure stays constant through the game.
Secondly I bet most if not all sports teams look for competitive advantage one way or the other. I cannot imagine any QB not trying to do something to the balls prior to the game to make them feel better in their hands.
Thirdly I'm amazed that the teams are allowed to handle the balls themselves. The NFL needs to give them a couple of dozen, have them pick 12 from them and keep possession of them through the game.
How come none of the media experts are asking the question if all QBs do this and if there is any real advantage other than a better grip?
For Troy Aikman to compare this to the Saints purposefully hurting players is insane and reeks of jealousy.
This is one of those rules that is not a giant killer. Let it slide.
Unlike say Cricket or baseball, the impact of that is not that significant due to the size and shape of the ball. By all accounts, outside temperature and condition differentials apparently cause deflation anyway. So it's not like the air pressure stays constant through the game.
Secondly I bet most if not all sports teams look for competitive advantage one way or the other. I cannot imagine any QB not trying to do something to the balls prior to the game to make them feel better in their hands.
Thirdly I'm amazed that the teams are allowed to handle the balls themselves. The NFL needs to give them a couple of dozen, have them pick 12 from them and keep possession of them through the game.
How come none of the media experts are asking the question if all QBs do this and if there is any real advantage other than a better grip?
For Troy Aikman to compare this to the Saints purposefully hurting players is insane and reeks of jealousy.
This is one of those rules that is not a giant killer. Let it slide.
58
Ah I hate to be the one to inform you baseballs and cricket balls are not inflated objects.
4
True. They are 'doctored' in those sports. The intent is still a competitive advantage
2
Troy Aikman is exactly correct..............if it weren't for Kraft and Goodell's buddy buddy relationship, this would have been settled by now. As of today, Brady hasn't even been interviewed.........that's a joke.
3
It is more like inflate gate. If the balls are inflated above 13.5 psi, then in cold weather the psi will drop but stay within NFL range of 12.5 - 13.5. If you inflated to 12.5 it will fall below the NFL range. Did Colts inflated the balls above the NFL range? If so, it is more like Colts inflate gate. Because, all their balls are in the NFL range. This can be easily verified by NFL. My guess is the referees never checked the psi in side the balls. It should not take NFL this long to come to a conclusion on what happened. Labeling always a great team as cheaters will only let other teams escape their cheating. Also, people who violate the rules bring the necessary changes and improve the system. NFL is simply sleeping on their job and that is why it is taking so long to find the reasons what happened.
32
Read the entire article and don't feel that I know him any better. He's simply a more charming Belichick, who also doesn't reveal anything about himself.
That's fine and he is a great QB, no doubt about that, one of the very best ever.
He's also a world class liar. So everything he and the Pats have accomplished in his career will always be tainted by their cheerful willingness to cheat and then lie about it. That's also why they will never be held in the same regard, outside of New England, as other very successful NFL teams like the Steelers, Cowboys, 49ers and Giants. They have no-one to blame but themselves and quite obviously couldn't care less.
"Enigmatic"? Hardly. Deceptive is a much more accurate description.
I'll take Larry Bird or Ted Williams any day of the week, thank you very much.
That's fine and he is a great QB, no doubt about that, one of the very best ever.
He's also a world class liar. So everything he and the Pats have accomplished in his career will always be tainted by their cheerful willingness to cheat and then lie about it. That's also why they will never be held in the same regard, outside of New England, as other very successful NFL teams like the Steelers, Cowboys, 49ers and Giants. They have no-one to blame but themselves and quite obviously couldn't care less.
"Enigmatic"? Hardly. Deceptive is a much more accurate description.
I'll take Larry Bird or Ted Williams any day of the week, thank you very much.
61
So Lou, next time you're accused of something, I suggest they issue the indictment and then go straight to sentencing - no need for a trial. Apparently "innocent until proven guilty" is not something you're able to comprehend.
It's looking more and more like the Patriots did nothing wrong here, but people who hate are so ready to convict without all of the evidence that even if the Patriots are exonerated, which I fully expect, people like you will refuse to let facts get in the way of their beliefs.
It's looking more and more like the Patriots did nothing wrong here, but people who hate are so ready to convict without all of the evidence that even if the Patriots are exonerated, which I fully expect, people like you will refuse to let facts get in the way of their beliefs.
82
The Patriots have been caught cheating before. That is why people don't believe them. This is just the usual pattern. Stonewall. Plausible deniability. Eventually we learn they're guilty. Bellichick is Richard Nixon. Brady is Halderman.
7
there's no point trying to reason someone out of what he or she hasn't reasoned him or herself into in the first place, so I won't try with you....but suffice to say that you're drawing huge conclusions about someone without any basis. We simply do not know what happened yet, and to denigrate Brady so unthinkingly is really troubling. As for the Cowboys, my already dim view of them took a real hit when I heard Aikman, on national television, straight out accuse Brady of lying...again, without any factualy basis for doing so. Sometimes I wish our libel/slander laws were a little more liberal. Not that Brady would bother - he's got too much class.
14
Great QB and seems to have enough existential doubt to be a great human.
48
I'm not a hater but I really think he is a cheater. On top of past accusations regarding the Pats, which were confirmed, and which was so bad that the commissioner had the tapes/evidence destroyed, we now have deflate-gate.
To me, what is very telling about this latest episode is that, neither Tom nor his coach, seem upset or determined to figure out who or why their game balls, which their whole season resides on, were tampered with.
And it's just the kind of detail -- take such and such amount of air out of the ball -- that a coach like Tom's would not overlook, and it would have to be Tom, the guy handling the ball, who would have to be on board with that, and most likely requested that.
To me, what is very telling about this latest episode is that, neither Tom nor his coach, seem upset or determined to figure out who or why their game balls, which their whole season resides on, were tampered with.
And it's just the kind of detail -- take such and such amount of air out of the ball -- that a coach like Tom's would not overlook, and it would have to be Tom, the guy handling the ball, who would have to be on board with that, and most likely requested that.
16
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/physicist-emailed-us-explain-exactly-14304...
"This scenario, in my professional opinion, completely explains the data that has been reported."
"Now, I have something bad to say about the media. You pinheads have been convicting Belichick and Brady without the facts or doing an investigation."
"This scenario, in my professional opinion, completely explains the data that has been reported."
"Now, I have something bad to say about the media. You pinheads have been convicting Belichick and Brady without the facts or doing an investigation."
12
Brilliant analysis! They didn't seem upset so they must be guilty. They didn't seem determined to find out what happened (though Belichick said he was embarassed to say how much time he had spent consulting experts and going back over their procedures).
And it "seems like something Belichick would not overlook." So when Belichick said in forty years of coaching he had never talked to anyone about football air pressure I decided he must be lying because it didn't seem like something he would overlook.
I think the NFL should appoint you to write the decision. They didn't seem upset, so they are guilty.
And it "seems like something Belichick would not overlook." So when Belichick said in forty years of coaching he had never talked to anyone about football air pressure I decided he must be lying because it didn't seem like something he would overlook.
I think the NFL should appoint you to write the decision. They didn't seem upset, so they are guilty.
The physicist's explanation has one flaw and can also easily be refuted. The flaw is that only the Patriot's 12 "game" footballs deflated. Their backup footballs did not deflate. The Colt's game and backup footballs did not deflate. The eight kicking balls did not deflate. All 56 balls were subjected to exactly the same environment but only the Patriot's game footballs deflated?
The refutation is that you can now bring all 56 balls back inside, let them sit for a few hours, and measure their pressure. They will all be a little bit higher but I doubt the Patriot's game footballs will be be within NFL rules as some of them were a full two pounds under-inflated. All 56 balls should be within 12.5 to 13.5 pounds at room temperature.
The refutation is that you can now bring all 56 balls back inside, let them sit for a few hours, and measure their pressure. They will all be a little bit higher but I doubt the Patriot's game footballs will be be within NFL rules as some of them were a full two pounds under-inflated. All 56 balls should be within 12.5 to 13.5 pounds at room temperature.
I'm rooting for the Seahawks but something about Tom Brady makes it very hard for me to believe that he is guilty of cheating, and some of the stuff I see and hear on TV is just plain ridiculous. I saw an ESPN clip where some former players were asked if they could tell the difference in balls with different air pressure. Of course they could! They're in a studio environment specifically squeezing the balls and looking out to detect something. Do these guys actually think that they're proving anything by comparing this to a game environment??!
I suspect that the equipment staff routinely deflates the balls because Tom Brady mentioned in an interview once that he prefers a slightly deflated ball, and thus it's become the norm. And I think Tom probably suspects this is probably what happened but will not state that openly because he does not want to get a staff member in trouble.
I suspect that the equipment staff routinely deflates the balls because Tom Brady mentioned in an interview once that he prefers a slightly deflated ball, and thus it's become the norm. And I think Tom probably suspects this is probably what happened but will not state that openly because he does not want to get a staff member in trouble.
40
Brady and Belichick will be connected forever unless one of them someday has success without the other. As unfair as it may be, their individual accomplishments can an be diminished by giving the credit to the other one. As for "Deflate-gate," since Alex Guerrero is on the sidelines, he surely has to be considered a prime suspect. Lastly, writing about where Brady and his family lives strikes me as being needlessly intrusive. I guess just about every conversation in New York (and probably elsewhere) winds up being about real estate.
1
Fantastic article, thanks! Tough to pick the Pats over the Seahawks though. Both teams seem prepared to actually play the game in front of them rather than comply w/ any narrative.
3
It's interesting that the piece declares Brady to be shallowly drawn and then manages to unearth nothing new about him. What did we learn about him in this article other than he has a religious reliance on his trainer and that he can't envision life without football. Was the latter revelation really anything new? Every player that has played at the top of the game seems to have a problem letting go of it. The few that haven't remain far more enigmatic in their ability to drop the game than those that hang on too long.
Its doubtful that Brady is boring, but reading this profile he certainly comes off that way, most likely because the author really never got anywhere near the truth of the man. There is likely a reason he didn't have access to him until this age when Brady has become one of the more media savvy players out there.
Its doubtful that Brady is boring, but reading this profile he certainly comes off that way, most likely because the author really never got anywhere near the truth of the man. There is likely a reason he didn't have access to him until this age when Brady has become one of the more media savvy players out there.
10
The mainstream media is ignoring the most important question regarding Tom Brady: Has he sold his soul to the Devil. There is no way you are going to convince most sports fans that a guy can keep looking that young and being so successful without having made some kind of Faustian bargain. There are those who say that his coach Bill Bellichek IS the devil! Until I see him wearing horns and a tail, I cannot say for certain. However, I urge sportswriters who still have access to the locker room to check for the telltale scent of sulfur! Hope that helps!
9
Oh Boy!
3
I love football but it is not everything. Tom Brady is a great quarterback. I hope he works just as hard at being a great human being, husband and father. He has three children and a beautiful wife and because of them YES there is life after football. This zest to win could also make one do stupid things like 'deflating footballs". I don't know who deflated those footballs but someone did. If Tom Brady is not responsible, he should make every effort to find out why someone on the staff felt he needed extra help during the AFC championship. Something he obviously did not need. If the weather caused those 11 of 12 Patriot footballs to deflate, how come it did not affect the Colt's footballs? BTW, based on comments folks need to know the kicker/punter balls are not the same ones the quarterback uses. The QB has 12 and the kicker/punter has 12 to use during the course of the game. Tom Brady wants to play until he is 40+. There lies the reason for him to do anything to keep on winning including deflating those footballs. I am not a Tom Brady hater. I actually am a great fan of his. However, everyone has character flaws and some times hubris will make you do something out of the ordinary to include cheating or taking an unfair advantage. I hope the NFL clears this up soon and changes the rules. The officials should maintain possession of all footballs.
4
If the football pressure is a real game changer then play the game with one ball. Both teams play with the same football, makes the issue netural.
Game on.
Game on.
30
I agree. This team-footballs thing should never have gotten started.
15
"Both teams play with the same football, makes the issue netural. "
Agreed: the NFL has out-smarted itself. The league wants more offense and protects the star of the framework, the QB. The league accepted a petition to allow separate ball bags so that players could "treat" or doctor their footballs in order to optimize performance. The inflation rule in that context seems completely arbitrary. There are two solutions: let each QB choose his own optimum pressure, however high or low; eliminate personlized footballs altogether.
Interestingly, if you look at the pressure range it seems to reflect that the air pressure gauges (as depicted in photos on this story) have a low degree of accuracy and as such measure psi in one-half pound increments. One solution would be to broaden the range, the other would be for more accurate gauges to be required.
On balance the only real solutions are to have the league control the entire process: put the balls (treated or not) into the bag, let the officials control the bag(s).
Agreed: the NFL has out-smarted itself. The league wants more offense and protects the star of the framework, the QB. The league accepted a petition to allow separate ball bags so that players could "treat" or doctor their footballs in order to optimize performance. The inflation rule in that context seems completely arbitrary. There are two solutions: let each QB choose his own optimum pressure, however high or low; eliminate personlized footballs altogether.
Interestingly, if you look at the pressure range it seems to reflect that the air pressure gauges (as depicted in photos on this story) have a low degree of accuracy and as such measure psi in one-half pound increments. One solution would be to broaden the range, the other would be for more accurate gauges to be required.
On balance the only real solutions are to have the league control the entire process: put the balls (treated or not) into the bag, let the officials control the bag(s).
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Tom Brady Cannot Stop. Cheating?
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I think at the root of Brady's success is his relationship with his father, The "original Tom Brady". The early golf outings at the age of three, attending every game, building healthy communication, building a healthy father-son friendship set the foundation, I think, for Brady to lead with confidence later in life. Also, going along the lines of Guerrero's muscle training techniques, I would be willing to bet that those early golf swings with dad as a three year-old helped stage the growth for Brady's football throwing arm, what he calls his "moneymaker". Sure, genetics plays a part, given that his three sisters were successful athletes, but I'll bet he took the girls out and played sports with them at a young age too.
I am a Seahawks fan, but I love watching Brady play, and have always been a big fan. I am looking forward to the Super Bowl. Thanks for this great article.
I am a Seahawks fan, but I love watching Brady play, and have always been a big fan. I am looking forward to the Super Bowl. Thanks for this great article.
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How many talented athletes that excel at the highest levels never even had a father? Nice narrative you've contrived there, looks like a candidate for a tv movie. The truth is you have no idea, nor does anyone else, what the ingredients are for success. It's delusional to believe silly narratives of your own contriving.
@Fred Reade,
We do have an idea what contributes to success. Loving parents are one part of it. And it's not "delusional" to "contrive" that conclusion. Read the biographies of every successful QB in the league, or every RB or WR. I'll bet behind their success you will find a devoted mom or dad (or grandparent or guardian or coach or teacher). I didn't make up the "silly narrative", I read the article by Mark Leibovich. Did you even read it?
We do have an idea what contributes to success. Loving parents are one part of it. And it's not "delusional" to "contrive" that conclusion. Read the biographies of every successful QB in the league, or every RB or WR. I'll bet behind their success you will find a devoted mom or dad (or grandparent or guardian or coach or teacher). I didn't make up the "silly narrative", I read the article by Mark Leibovich. Did you even read it?
It bears repeating..... no one handles the football more frequently or for longer periods of time than the officials. Why didn't one of them notice they were under inflated?
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No one has denied the footballs were under-inflated. Whether the game officials noticed is beside the point. I also doubt an official would stop a game to check the pressure of a ball. There's no precedent for it, and if he were wrong, he'd probably never be asked to officiate a playoff game again.
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"I also doubt an official would stop a game to check the pressure of a ball. There's no precedent for it,"
Yet somehow the game was stopped for a ball substitution. This fact is directly in conflict with your assertion.
Yet somehow the game was stopped for a ball substitution. This fact is directly in conflict with your assertion.
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Daniel: The reason people keep noting that the officials did not notice is because other people keep stridently saying that Brady is "guilty" because anyone in his profession would have noticed (during the three to four seconds per play that he touched the ball) that the balls were underinflated.
So to question that (wild) supposition, people counter by saying the officials - who handle the ball before and after every play - did not notice - so therefore it is not surprising that Brady did not either.
So to question that (wild) supposition, people counter by saying the officials - who handle the ball before and after every play - did not notice - so therefore it is not surprising that Brady did not either.
Dang it! After reading this I actually like the guy. Thanks Leibovich. Because of you I'm going to have a conflicted Superbowl.
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Great piece and I've always admired Brady as an athlete and competitor. But someone in the Patriots organization let air out of the footballs Brady used in the AFC title game. That act gave the team and especially Tom Brady an unfair and illegal advantage in a championship game that determined the AFC's entrant in the Super Bowl. Until there's a much more thorough and credible explanation of what happened than the ones now emanating from the mouths of Brady and his (proven cheater) coach, Tom Brady is going to remain under a cloud of suspicion. And it will taint his legacy, regardless of how long he plays or whether his team wins Super Bowl 49.
Given the portrait painted in this article, I would expect Brady to stand up and say either "we did it" and accept the consequences or say nothing at all. Instead, he has made ridiculous public assertions such as that he has no idea and didn't notice the under-inflated balls for the Indy game. Sorry, but that doesn't wash and it doesn't fit with the image of an athlete & a man who is doing everything the right way.
Given the portrait painted in this article, I would expect Brady to stand up and say either "we did it" and accept the consequences or say nothing at all. Instead, he has made ridiculous public assertions such as that he has no idea and didn't notice the under-inflated balls for the Indy game. Sorry, but that doesn't wash and it doesn't fit with the image of an athlete & a man who is doing everything the right way.
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Have you tried ringing the NFL with your evidence? Seems like they could use some help.
The Pats didn't have a competitive advantage other than being the better team. During the second half new balls were brought in by the officials. Do you remember the second half of the game? Where the Colts were trounced?
And why doesn't that wash? Go pump up two footballs one at 12.5 and one at 11.5 and tell me how difficult it is, because it is, to tell them apart.
And why 11.5? Because a new report has come out stating most of the 11 balls may have been around this psi and not a full 2 psi under. Which would easily be accounted for by weather.
Keep an open mind and wait for all the facts to come out before you come to such an insulting opinion.
The Pats didn't have a competitive advantage other than being the better team. During the second half new balls were brought in by the officials. Do you remember the second half of the game? Where the Colts were trounced?
And why doesn't that wash? Go pump up two footballs one at 12.5 and one at 11.5 and tell me how difficult it is, because it is, to tell them apart.
And why 11.5? Because a new report has come out stating most of the 11 balls may have been around this psi and not a full 2 psi under. Which would easily be accounted for by weather.
Keep an open mind and wait for all the facts to come out before you come to such an insulting opinion.
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Comments like this elucidate more about the writer than they do the subject. There is not yet enough factual information regarding the under-inflated football matter on which to base an intelligent comment. There is likewise, no prior act basis on which to doubt Tom Brady's word. Any fair-minded person would await the outcome of the NFL's investigation before making such pronouncements.
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Guilty until proven innocent?
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All sports fans swell with pride over the few truly transcendent stars that played for their teams. In Boston we've had Ted Williams, Yaz, Bobby Orr, the great Celtics...
We are closer to the end than the beginning of the Brady era. What ever happens Sunday, it has been an incredible ride. Patriots-bashers, don't be hatin'...
We are closer to the end than the beginning of the Brady era. What ever happens Sunday, it has been an incredible ride. Patriots-bashers, don't be hatin'...
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"Brady had previously said to me that he tends to view most things in his life through the prism of people who doubt him — his abilities, his age, even the legitimacy of his biggest achievements. And now, his integrity."
That is all fine and good.....but it does not mean he isn't a cheater. He is. And I would bet a lot of this "view most things in his life through the prism of people who doubt him" business is rooted in that. He knows deep inside he cheated.
That is all fine and good.....but it does not mean he isn't a cheater. He is. And I would bet a lot of this "view most things in his life through the prism of people who doubt him" business is rooted in that. He knows deep inside he cheated.
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You have no evidence that he cheated, nor does the New York media. So stop projecting your own cynicism and disappointments onto one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
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I assume you have an inside line to the NFL to have confirmed this...
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As to Brady being a cheater, you could only know that if you knew something not yet reported. This link casts substantial doubt as to the Patriots cheating:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/physicist-emailed-us-explain-exactly-14304...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/physicist-emailed-us-explain-exactly-14304...
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Not bad for a 6th round pick.
Here's to hoping his 6th trip to the SB results in a 4th ring!
Here's to hoping his 6th trip to the SB results in a 4th ring!
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If not for two unbelievable receptions one by David Tyree in Super Bowl XLII and another by Mario Manningham in Super Bowl XLVI, Brady is a 5 time Super Bowl Winner. I am a big Giant Fan (used to be a small air-conditioner) but I have to give Brady credit. I feel he is the best QB ever.
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Agreed: Brady handed his defense a lead in both games. The Tyree catch may have been one of the most clutch catches in history, so it is hard to fault the defense either; the Manningham catch was also exceptional. So while the defense failed, they can't really be faulted. So we can "excuse" defense, but with just a slightly better secondary, Brady has 5 rings.
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I have been a Patriots fan since 1960 just as I have been a Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins fan since before that. Ted Williams and Carl Yaztremski, Bob Cousy and Larry Bird, Milt Schmidt and Bobbie Orr, they all have been my Boston sports heroes. But Tom Brady stands head and shoulders above them all, both literally and figuratively. This article about who Tom is just confirms it. Thanks.
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Teddy Ballgame became a regular at Sidney Farber's early pediatrics cancer ward when the Jimmy Fund became the Red Sox official charity. And Bird is/was 6'9"!
But I agree, Brady really does go above and beyond in community outreach, and everone should appreciate him for that.
But I agree, Brady really does go above and beyond in community outreach, and everone should appreciate him for that.
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He's no Bill Russell. Just sayin'.
Head and shoulders above Bobby "Bobbie" Orr - yeah - probably not.
"Enigmatic?" I would use that descriptor for Aaron Rodgers. Brady seems like he is very "entitled" to me.
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You must have missed the descriptions of his incredible work ethic.
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Actually, if you traced his football career, you'd realize he's anything BUT entitled. He was not a great high school player and in college he was OK - and played consistently only the last year. Sixth round draft pick. Second string QB and would have stayed that way if not a chance injury to Bledsoe. As the article says because Brady does not have natural talent, his work ethic is what propels him to excellence.
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please give one example of his acting entitled. just one.
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Nice piece. Now watch all the haters pile in and attack Brady for being all the things they are not. Brady has always been a class act. Just because the media (especially in a town like NY) needs a villain and a controversy doesn't mean that character and truth no longer matter.
Nobody is a victim to this man's success. But many apparently need to think of themselves that way.
Nobody is a victim to this man's success. But many apparently need to think of themselves that way.
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Victim? He cheated, plain and simple. There is no way Brady did not know what happened to the balls. Stop defending cheaters in sports. Maybe cheating is OK in your profession, but not in sports.
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I see only one hater so far.
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It isn't the cheating. It's the lying that comes afterwards.
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don't like the pats, but brady is nothing if not resilient....you do dude!
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