Tom Brady, the retired NFL superstar, was moved to tears as he recalled his fear of becoming an 'insurance salesman' during a brutal NFL Draft experience.
Despite enjoying one of the most illustrious careers in sports history, Brady feared his dream was over as he agonisingly waited for the call from the New England Patriots during the NFL Draft. Incredibly, the man who would go on to be hailed as possibly the greatest quarterback ever began his professional journey as a No. 199 pick in the sixth round in 2000.
After making a name for himself during his college football days at the University of Michigan, the record seven-time Super Bowl winner's commanding performances as the Patriots' talisman defined the era that followed. Long considered the NFL's biggest draft steal, he won his first Super Bowl ring in his second season in the first of nine appearances for New England in the showpiece.
A regular starter for 18 seasons under the guidance of Bill Belichick, they hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy together on six occasions, creating a legendary dynasty. In a post shared by the NFL's official Instagram page, Brady reflected on a day that changed his life forever and was visibly emotional as he remembered how he faced the possibility of leaving the sport behind.
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This came as he waited until the final day of the draft to be picked by the Patriots. In a heartfelt interview, Brady opened up about the emotional rollercoaster of his draft experience, with these painful hours of toil having been shared alongside his supportive parents.
"Being downstairs for the fourth and then the fifth round and that had been and gone, and all these other guys were getting picked and it was hard. I remember taking walk around the block with my mom and dad," he shared, visibly moved by the memory as he held back the tears.
In the video, Brady abruptly paused as he appeared overcome with emotion while he remembered the support from his loved one on that pivotal day. "It was a tough day you know, I just remember being there with my mom and dad and, you know, they were just so supportive of me."
Tom Brady cried as he recalled the support he received from his parents on the day (nflfilms)
Tom Brady cut an emotional figure as he recalled a momentous day in his life (nflfilms)The NFL icon the continued on as he steadied himself once more before reflecting on the moment his life changed, saying: "And they take it as emotional as I do and, when the Patriots finally called, I was so excited, you know. I was like 'I don't have to be an insurance salesman,' you know?"
Despite his eventual success, Brady wasn't a hot prospect at the time, with his NFL Scouting Combine report highlighting doubts about his potential: "Poor build, skinny, lacks great physical stature and strength."
"Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush, lacks a really strong arm, can't drive the ball downfield, does not throw a really tight spiral, system-type player who can get exposed if forced to ad lib, gets knocked down easily."
Brady's dad, Tom Brady Sr. , shared an emotional account of the day his son was drafted, saying: "We were led to believe that he was going to be drafted, possibly second round, probably third round."
"They kept calling quarterback names, and we kept being stunned," he admitted to ESPN. "We were very distraught. With each name, it was becoming worse and worse."
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