This is an article I’d never thought I would write. Growing up a diehard New York fan, I had a real hatred for the Boston Sports. I hated their cocky attitudes. Whether it was the Red Sox or Celtics I hated them with a burning passion down to the deepest parts of my soul. That’s how I was raised. Through all this I still respected the legends of sport that came out of Boston. I idolized Larry Bird. I loved Ted Williams. Even Carl Yastrzemski, who denied his hometown which was my hometown, I was enamored by, simply because of his Triple Crown accomplishment. I recognized at a young age that no matter what uniform they wore, they still deserved my respect as a diehard sports enthusiast. I carried this with me throughout my life and presently, except with one man, Tom F*****G Brady.
It all started in 2001. I was 12 years old. I was doing what my dad and I did every Super Bowl, sitting with my Uncle Vinny in his living room, stuffing our faces, and arguing about the game. They both had explained to me that they thought this Brady character was special and had both picked the Patriots. Me, I was betting on the Rams. I mean c’mon, no matter what team you cheered for, it was “the greatest show on turf”. Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, hell even Ricky Proehl was fun to watch on that team. I thought there was no way this random guy who had gotten past the Raiders on a technicality (to this day I will argue with you that it was a fumble, I don’t care what the rule is) could take down this dynasty in the making. Well was I ever wrong?! Tom Brady controlled the ball all night and led his team on the first of what seems like thousands of game winning drives and crushed my 12 year old heart. That was only the beginning. The next 18 years of my life, I had to sit there and watch Tom Brady every season make his statement on the field that he was the greatest quarterback of all time.
I didn’t care. I didn’t care about the stats. I didn’t care about the trophies, I didn’t care about the records. I didn’t care that my favorite team beat him twice in the Super Bowl. None of it mattered to me. I HATED TOM BRADY! My dad and my brother who are no Patriots fans, would have the same conversation with me every year “Nick, how can you be so smart and knowledgeable about all sports, but hate Tom Brady, he’s the greatest of all Time”. ” Well, the same way you guys try and get me to change my mind all the time but know you’re not going to, I’m set in my ways” I’d refute. There were many times we almost came to blows about it. I lost friends because of my ignorance. I could never ever admit that He is the Greatest. A lot of this comes from the media too. I’d be watching a damn Sunday night game between the Giants and Cowboys and here they are talking about Tom Brady. Why? I’m watching the Giants, fuck off with this Tom Brady stuff. I used to get so mad, I’d leave the house. I’d be flipping through the newspaper in New York and see a picture of Tom in a Yankee hat walking the streets with his wife and throw the paper in my fireplace and watch it burn. I understood he was great, but why the hell is he in our newspapers?! This is New York, not New England!
I was on my way to college in Boston (I know, hilarious) one year with my dad, step mom and older brother. The Patriots Vs. Chiefs was the opening week matchup on the radio. My brother and father were doing their usual Brady loving and there I was 18 and pouting in the back seat. I finally had enough and yelled at the top of my lungs “I hope he breaks his leg so you 2 can shut up!!!” I shit you not, the next play he tore his ACL and his season was over. I remember for the first 10 seconds feeling pure joy and elation that I just predicted that followed by the immediate feeling of remorse because as much as I hated the guy, I don’t want to see anyone hurt. I figured well at least I won’t have to hear about Brady all year again, HA! All I heard all year was updates on Brady’s rehab and if Brady played they would be a Super Bowl team and blah blah blah. Damnit!!! As spygate and deflategate happened, I was in my glory trying to justify that they had to cheat to win. But no matter what, he came back, did his job, and won another title every time.
Even as he orchastrated the greatest game in Super Bowl history against the Falcons, Even as this year came to a close and he threw a pick-6 to seal their fate, I still couldn’t stand him. But I respected him. Tom Brady is a warrior. He’s a class act on the mic. He’s a vocal and physical beast between the lines. He’s earned the respect and admiration of all his peers, on and off the field. Tom Brady is the Greatest Quarterback Of All Time, period. There I finally said it.
So why now you may ask? In light of recent events and tragedies, I really felt that unnecessary hatred and anger towards anyone, sports related or otherwise, needs to be extinguished from my life. I don’t know Tom Brady the man, only the football player and I can’t hate someone I don’t even know. The GOAT debates need to stop. The friendships being ruined over those debates need to stop. No matter what uniform they wear, no matter what their beliefs are, no matter if they are your teams rival or not, the anger towards athletes and people needs to stop. We have to appreciate greatness while it’s still here and after it’s gone. The world will never see another Jordan, another LeBron, and definitely not another Kobe. The world will never see another Tom Brady and my hatred for him is long gone. Replaced by respect and gratitude that I got to see him play, I’d like to end this article by saying this. No matter if you retire tomorrow or give it another go, Tom Brady I Am Sorry and Thank you for years of passionate football that in turn led to passionate debates and banter. Thank you GOAT.
To The Rack With Mac 