Jimmy Garoppolo Hopes To Still Be Playing At Tom Brady’s Age

FOXBORO, Mass. — Tom Brady’s birthday serves as an annual reminder that the New England Patriots quarterback is really, really old in NFL years.

Brady, 39, is the oldest non-kicker/punter in the NFL. He’s the oldest player on the Patriots by nearly seven years, and he’s 16 years, 11 months and 22 days older than the youngest player on the roster, rookie cornerback Cre’von LeBlanc.

And he’s 14 years, two months and 30 days older than his backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, who has yet to start an NFL game (it will happen while Brady is suspended) but wants to still be playing at 39 years old.

“I sure hope so,” Garoppolo said Wednesday. “We’ll see.”

The third-year pro wouldn’t reveal what he got Brady for his birthday, but playing behind the legendary quarterback is a gift every day for Garoppolo, who now knows what it takes to potentially keep playing into his late 30s.

“It’s a little bit of everything; nutrition, body work, doing things the right way,” Garoppolo said. “It all adds up. What is this, his 17th year? It all adds up over time, so hopefully I’ll be there one day.”

Brady has said in the past that he didn’t start taking nutrition seriously until late in his career, so if Garoppolo is following Brady’s lead, he could have a head start on preserving his body.

Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images