Tom Brady “sickness to throw a spiral” saved the Buccaneers

Tom Brady doesn’t care about proving anything.

The narrative surrounding Tom Brady has grown somewhat lazy in recent years. Every move and decision he makes is attributed to this innate need to prove something to the NFL and media that let him slip to a later round in the draft; the same group that has declared his retirement early every year for the past five years it feels like.

Does Tom Brady like proving people wrong? Absolutely. The shots that he has taken on social media towards the naysayers in recent weeks prove that, but this view of Brady’s drive is also a disservice.

Without a desire to prove anything, Brady likely would have never arrived in Tampa, and without the real fire, he may have actually left the league several years before. How many guys sign up to get hit by 260-pound 23-year olds just to prove something for over 20 years?

Tom Brady is driven by more than proving himself

Tom Brady has already proven his point; that he is the greatest quarterback of all time. If that was all he wanted to do, Brady could have easily retired several rings ago, and he especially could have retired after his seventh ring in his most recent situation.

No, Brady’s desire to suit up every week and be the best competitor the league has ever seen goes beyond proving anything to anyone. Brady shed some insight into his drive this morning on Good Morning America.

Perhaps Brady gets tired of the “what more do you have to prove” question. Everyone has asked it for several years now. This question is always asked in good faith because it insinuates that Brady has accomplished everything possible, but again, it leaves out a part of his spirit that defines him as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

The “sickness to throw a spiral” that Brady mentions means far more to him and the Buccaneers organization than words can say. Proving yourself, making money, and chasing records eventually come to an end. An all-consuming love for the game never goes away.

Players talk about this subject often. Plenty of guys have retired early because the game “just isn’t fun anymore.” There’s truth in this for some. Football is a demanding profession and one that puts a substantial strain on most players, especially for the starting quarterback. There is a reason why so few guys play as long as Brady has.

If Brady was searching for a legacy or money, he would have retired long ago, leaving the Buccaneers down one Lombardi trophy. If it weren’t for Brady’s love for the game, the outlook for the Tampa Bay franchise would be completely different, but that’s where his greatness lies.

While the Brady period in Tampa is bound to be a short one, he even admitted it himself, he has completely changed the trajectory of this team forever, and this signing will go down as one of the best of all time based on an almost rabid love for football.

Tom, please don’t lose that sickness.

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