TOM BRADY AND... OUT.

Donald: All right. So, of course, Tom Brady has a lot of inspiring things going on. He’s broken a ton of records in his 22-year career. A great competitor, a good guy and, basically, I believe his wife had the last thing to say in regard to him retiring.

Russ: Dag, Don, it’s like that?

Donald: Uh-uh, hear me out. Just like any other great person in society, the woman primarily influences the decision for that man—or woman—to let go. Behind every great person, there is a great woman.

Russ Adams

John: But why would she want him to stop now?

Donald: His kids, man. He’s talked before about how nice it is to have a full off-season to be with his family full-time, but how much nicer it would be to be there full time. Shoot, he said he could physically play until he’s 50-55, but his mental and emotional "wants" are with his family. Well, he’ll now have it.

John: Agreed. Well, to take it back a bit, Tom is a legendary quarterback; only a 6th-round selection out of Michigan, he wasn’t heralded or, even, expected to be more than a spotstarter. Boy, did he prove everyone wrong.

Patrick: Shoot, I’d forgotten he was drafted that low.

John Hagan

John: Right. And, after taking over for the injured New England Patriot Drew Bledsoe in 2001, Tom didn’t only hold down the quarterback position, he perfected it like no other. Only Joe Montana can be put in that category with him. When you count his 7 Super Bowl rings—6 with New England, 1 with Tampa Bay—it makes you wonder what might’ve been for those who passed up on Brady. Same question could be asked of those who passed up the opportunity to get the Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick in 2000.

Russ: Sounds like you’re about to reference the Dallas Cowboys.

John: Bingo. The Cowboys passed up Randy Moss in the 1998 draft, Brady in the 2000 draft, and didn’t hire Belichick in 2000. Think about that: Brady passing to Moss, and Belichick on the sideline frowning in joy—can y’all say NFL dynasty? At least 6 championships in 10 years.

Patrick: Easy. Well, look, fellas, I’ve been looked at funny by many when I say I’m a fan of Tom Brady, but I don't care. His precision, his stealthiness…those attributes kept me with him. I’m not even sure if it was his winning; of course, that helped the good feelings flow, but his talent was something else. I mean, every season, he was methodically dropping off folks. 4-yard pass here, 2-yard handoff run, 11-yard pass across the middle; repeat…until the touchdown was secured. No one could completely shut him down. Amazing. I’m sad to see him go, but I’m happy for him and his family.

Donald Morris

Russ: Patrick, I’m with you. A lil’ backstory, y’all. I was a huge Drew Bledsoe fan, so I was watching the Patriots already, so the next year when Bledsoe got hurt and Brady stepped in and won immediately, there was tension when Bledsoe got healthy. The coach could do nothing but stick with Brady, who was winning everything. The Patriots won by a field goal, and the rest is history. And, man, there was one game that the Patriots were down 28-3 in a Super Bowl—against Atlanta—and Brady and the Patriots pulled off the comeback.

Donald: Enough said.

Any comments or suggestions? Email pedwards@streetwise.org

Patrick Edwards