Tom Brady barely edged out Damon Huard for the New England Patriots’ No. 2 quarterback spot behind Drew Bledsoe before the 2001 season. Now, Brady’s chasing his fifth Super Bowl ring.
Much of his success, let alone his ability to beat out Huard, who was the more experienced quarterback at the time, can be attributed to Brady’s competitiveness. Huard, who spent three seasons with the Patriots from 2001 through 2003, has never seen anything like it.
“He’s a psychotic competitor,” Huard recently told WEEI.com leading up to the Patriots’ AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. “Whether it was flinging the backgammon board across the locker room when he lost or playing pickup basketball games for charity against firemen and he was letting us know that we can’t lose to a bunch of firemen, that’s who he is.
“He brings it to practice, every 7-on-7 drill. His love to compete. I mean, that’s why you see him out there with that enthusiasm, even at age 38, out there head-butting guys. What other 38-year-old quarterback does that? But that’s Tommy.”
Brady is a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he’s arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history. His passion for the game and his drive to succeed haven’t diminished one bit, however.
It’s actually kind of scary.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
