Tom Brady Encourages NFL Players to Embrace Preseason
Tom Brady, the celebrated seven-time Super Bowl champion, urges current NFL players to actively participate in the preseason games rather than sitting on the sidelines. This call to action responds to the growing trend of established players opting out of exhibition matches.
An old video of Brady playing deep into a 2010 New England Patriots preseason game prompted this discussion. After a fan shared the video, Brady reposted it on his Instagram Story, expressing his views distinctly: ‘Preseason… Regular season… I never wanted to be taken off the field. Practice makes perfect.’ He added, ‘Too many people looking for easy ways out these days.’
The video features an Aug. 26, 2010, preseason game against the St. Louis Rams. During this game, Brady continued to play until New England’s first offensive series of the fourth quarter, ending with an impressive performance: 18-of-22 completions, 273 yards, and three touchdowns, maintaining a perfect 158.0 passer rating. One remarkable moment was a 65-yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss.
At that time, Brady had already proved his prowess with three Super Bowl titles and two MVP awards; his capabilities were unquestionable. Nevertheless, he still saw immense value in playing preseason games.
‘When you’re a football player, and it’s football season, your job is to play football,’ Brady stated firmly.
While some might argue for sparing star players from injury risks in preseason games, Brady’s perspective champions the idea of practice and readiness over caution. With the NFL season extending to 17 regular games, coaches tend to prioritize their players’ health for more critical encounters. Yet, Brady remains unfazed by this reasoning.
His viewpoint may evoke the classic image of a seasoned athlete challenging younger generations to maintain vigilance and dedication. However, his extensive success lends significant weight to his words. Brady’s career achievements, such as winning Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons, exemplify his commitment to consistent performance and leadership throughout his career.