For Tom Brady, age 40 means the top of the hill, not over it

On August 3rd, New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, will turn 40-years-old. At an age when most professional athletes have either shelved their uniforms or are close to doing so, Brady is showing no sign of riding off into the sunset. In fact, and much to the chagrin of 31 other NFL teams, Brady’s future is looking brighter than ever. As he is set to begin his 17th NFL season, his fans and foes alike are left to ponder the question, ‘How does he do it?’

Actually, the answer is quite simple. He finds durability within determination.

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the word ‘durable’ is defined as the ability to exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or value. New Englanders have long valued durability. They have a tradition of blue-collar, hardworking people that appreciate the effort it takes to complete a job well-done.

Needless to say, Brady is adored in New England and may be the most beloved sports figure in the history of a city that has been the home of icons such as Williams, Orr, Bird, and Russell. However, Brady is not always the poster child for that typical New England, blue-collar grit. Sometimes, it’s easy to lose sight of this when we see Brady looking 007-Esque in mattress commercials, or dressed to the ‘nines’ in the latest fashion.

But, don’t let that exterior fool you. Brady is a tough as they come – physically, mentally and emotionally. That’s the reason why he’s still ‘king of the hill.’ Let’s break it down a bit.

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The physical:

It’s hard to believe, but Brady seems to look more comfortable in the pocket at age 39 than he did in 2000, during his rookie campaign. Save for a season-ending knee injury in 2008, he has been remarkably reliable on the field. Playing through hand, leg, arm, rib and the infamous shoulder (which often lands him on the injury report) injuries, number 12 is always on the field for the Patriots. Brady is known to be methodical about his dietary and conditioning routine.

In fact, Brady’s intense diet and physical fitness regimen are about to be chronicled in a book that will hit the shelves later this year, titled The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance. Some people (misguided as they are) choose to roll their eyes at this lifestyle. Brady’s signature brand, TB12 fitness, and the philosophies of his wellness guru, Alex Guerrero, have become a punchline – even in the heart of Brady’s own territory. However, there has to be something to it.

Very few, if any, members of his draft class of 2000 are even still playing, while Brady continues to lead his team to victory. And it’s not as if Brady doesn’t take his share of hits. All-pro defenders such as Justin Tuck, Demarcus Ware, and Von Miller have rated Brady as one of the toughest players they have ever played against. He’s been durable, by being determined to stay on the field. And it’s working very well, so far.

The mental:

I would find someone to be hard-pressed to identify a superstar athlete that is mentally tougher than Tom Brady. While it’s true that many other iconic athletes (Ali, Jordan, to name only a couple) have been just as tough, Brady’s name truly belongs with the all-time great’s. Brady has had to overcome adversity his entire football career. It’s a fact that still drives him to this day.

Brady has had to overcome adversity his entire football career. It’s a fact that still drives him to this day. After working tirelessly to earn the top quarterback spot for his senior year at the University of Michigan, Brady was forced to share the spotlight under center with teammate Drew Henson. When taking over for an injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001, Brady looked at his teammates and told them “climb on my back.”

This was quite a bold statement from a then 24-year-old backup quarterback. Especially one who was labeled as having a ‘poor build’ and being ‘too scrawny to succeed at the position.’ But Brady won the respect of his teammates. And then the league. Since then, that mental durability has led to five Super Bowl Titles, four Super Bowl MVPs, two League MVPs and countless 4th quarter comebacks.

Despite that success, Brady remains as driven as ever. He has often been quoted as saying his favorite championship ring is the ‘next one.’ Never one to rest on his laurels, he started working on the next one shortly after he won the last one, back in February. When asked if there was anything Tom Brady can’t do, friend and teammate Julian Edelman simply replied, ‘Quit.’ It looks like he’s right.

The emotional:

While much has been made of Brady’s physical and mental durability, he has proven to be one of the most emotionally durable athletes of his era. During the debacle know as Deflategate, Brady had his integrity challenged by the media, former NFL players and especially football fans around the world. Many would have crumbled under the pressure. But Brady’s uncanny knack to put aside his anger allowed him to direct that emotion into on-field dominance. It’s hard to argue with the results. He collected his fifth ring.

Perhaps the greatest example of Tom Brady’s emotional determination took place at Super Bowl 51. However, it wasn’t the amazing comeback on which Brady lead his team to a fifth Super Bowl title. This example came after the game had been won. It was when an emotional and tearful Brady embraced his mother Galynn, who had been fighting cancer for the past year.

At this moment, you could feel his determination. Which had culminated in a victory that he absolutely wanted in his mother’s honor. For all of the on field heroics we’ve seen him accomplish through the years, it was this moment that poignantly showcased Brady’s emotional durability. The man who seems too good to true good, at times, was human after all. Football didn’t matter. All that did matter was the health of his mother and the warmth of his family. Of all possible motivational factors for an athlete, those that are personal tend to be the most potent.

Good, not so old, reliable:

Despite his share of (*cough* jealous *cough*) detractors out there, Brady is enjoying unparalleled success for one simple reason: he is determined to remain durable. Stark-raving fans of the other 31 NFL teams are nauseated at the site of yet another Lombardi Trophy being presented to him. But as Brady begins his 17th NFL season, he doesn’t find motivation in the opinions of his critics. He doesn’t find it in the glitz, glamour and endorsement deals. He finds it within. And he’s as driven as ever.

So let me be among the first to wish the G.O.A.T. a very happy 40th birthday…and many happy returns. If the first 17 seasons are any indication, he may be making a lot of new Englanders happy by returning for many more seasons.

– Mike D’Abate, is a Staff Writer for cover32/Patriots and a National Writer for cover32. He covers the New England Patriots and NFL. Like and follow on Follow @MG973024 Follow @cover32_NE and Facebook.

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