Tom Brady bid adieu to his illustrious career a year ago and is now waiting to get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Although there are always rumors about the veteran’s potential unretirement, he is unlikely to take a U-turn once more.
When TB12 used to play, he didn’t play for himself alone. He was a great teammate, who used to think equally for his personal gain and team interest. In a candid interview on the Deep Cuts Podcast, the ex-NFL star expressed concerns about the growing focus on personal branding and social media attention among today’s players.
“I think the biggest problem with a lot of f—ing kids these days is, it’s all about them. It’s all about them, their brand, their social media, and then when it’s about me and then not about us well there’s no way to succeed as a team if all you’re doing is think about how selfish it is for you to get the attention,” Brady said.
Tom Brady says the biggest problem with young athletes nowadays is that "it's all about them":
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 22, 2024
"And I think the biggest problem with a lot of f***ing kids these days is it's all about them…"
(🎥 @DeepCutPodcast)pic.twitter.com/aqKa3bY0oc https://t.co/HHGNp9vVT2
Tom Terrific epitomized the values of dedication, sacrifice, and leadership. He understood that true success in sports comes from a collective effort, where each member of the team plays a crucial role in achieving common objectives. The veteran was willing to negotiate less lucrative contracts to ensure that his team could afford to retain key players and maintain a competitive edge.
Brady was not afraid to hold his teammates accountable for their performance. He demanded excellence and was known to motivate his fellow players through both encouragement and, at times, tough love.
Tom Brady once bribed his teammates to inspire them
Tom Brady employed a unique tactic to motivate his teammates during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ali Marpet, a retired Bucs guard, revealed that Brady initiated a cash incentive system to improve the team’s screen game, which was struggling at the time.
Brady took the initiative to address the issue by organizing independent meetings with the offense. In one such meeting, he offered the lucrative deal of giving $1,000 cash to the starting offensive players for each successful screenplay that went for more than 15 yards.
“Are you kidding me? Like a little extra juice, so those kinds of things [Tom did to motivate],” Marpet recounted per JoeBucsFan.
![Tom Brady](https://www.sportsknot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1000013215-1024x683.jpg)
The effectiveness of Brady’s incentive became evident as multiple screen plays of over 15 yards ensued, resulting in several payments to the linemen.
“So those kinds of things. Again, Tom just knowing how guys are wired and what goes a long way and inspiring and getting the most out of his guys,” Marpet added.
Brady’s willingness to go the extra mile to boost morale and spark a competitive spirit speaks volumes about his leadership style and commitment to success. It is something young players lack now, and that is why elite players like Patrick Mahomes believe that Brady is second to none in the NFL.