magnoliamentions

[magnoliamentions]

WHY TOM BRADY WILL NEVER BE THE GOAT

Disclaimer: I do not have first-hand information on Tom Brady. I don’t read articles about him or watch him play very often (though I did enjoy seeing Dak Prescott and the Cowboys end his year.) This is simply an opinion piece, nothing more. I am only an observer.

NFL commentators always refer to Tom Brady as the GOAT. It’s almost like he pays them every time they mention his name. But what does that mean? What does someone need to do to be the GOAT?

Let’s look at what I think a GOAT should be. Yes, of course the GOAT should be the best in his/her field. Yet, is that really all it means? I must answer that question with a NO! The GOAT should be someone people want their children to emulate as much as possible. S/He should be an example on and off their “stage,” whether a football field or movie screen or an opera or a class room or hospital - whatever that stage may be.

Now let’s look at Tom Brady. Yes, Tom Brady has multiple Super Bowl rings. I think that’s an incredible accomplishment. Many NFL players end their careers never even getting close to playing in a Super Bowl. Yet, controversy has followed him all the way there. There have been numerous accusations of cheating to win. Whether or not Tom Brady cheated I s not my place to say. I have no idea. I didn’t follow him while he was with the Patriots, and I don’t follow him in Tampa Bay. What I do know is that questions have been raised about Tom Brady’s integrity and how far he will go to win. Who wants their children carrying that pack of worms around with them the rest of their lives? I certainly don’t.

Next, let’s look at his behavior. If he doesn’t do well, he throws a fit! I’ve seen him spewing profanity, as many players do, and throwing expensive electronics to the ground because he was upset. He throws his helmet or whatever. I cannot count how many Tom Brady temper tantrums I’ve witnessed. That is certainly a behavior I do not want my children to emulate.

Finally, let’s look at Tom Brady’s decision to continue playing after he announced his retirement. His wife made no secret for years that she was ready for him to retire. She supported him and took care of the household while he played. She was ready to get back to her career, which, from what I understand, Tom Brady agreed to after last season. As in every marriage, there is always more going on than people on the outside can see. Nonetheless, Tom Brady is now and will forever be known as the one who very blatantly chose football over family. I cannot even begin to imagine how much that would hurt. Again, I could be wrong about this, but perception often becomes truth. Family should be the most important part of people’s lives. We already have so many children being raised in broken homes, and Tom Brady just made two more children statistics.

Tom Brady might be the nicest guy a person could meet. I highly doubt it, but he could be. Nice or not, his perceived egomaniacal tendencies result in controversy, temper tantrums, and a serious need to reassess what is really important in life. No, Tom Brady cannot be the GOAT. He will never be “the greatest to play the game,” regardless of what NFL commentators want us to believe. No number of championship rings or records or years playing will change his character. Ability, integrity, and character should never be questioned in someone referred to as the “GOAT.”

[magnoliamentions]

Well, we made it to another year. I have so many things I want to do this year. (Of course, I will likely forget them. 🤣 There are a few topics on which I will likely write opinions, but I will just have to wait and see. So, here’s to 2023.