Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady made his first appearance since retirement on Colin Cowherd's radio show, "The Herd." On Monday, Brady discussed his decision to retire and vocalized his excitement for future endeavors off-the-field. Brady revealed that he will begin his new role as a FOX Sports' lead NFL analyst in the fall of 2024, providing a brief hiatus to grow as a broadcaster. During his 12-minute conversation on the show, Brady reflected on his prolific and unparalleled career that spanned three decades. The G.O.A.T dished on his committed mindset and the motivating force that drove him to achieving greatness. "When we dig deep and people push us further than places we want to go, we can reach places no people have ever been," Brady recalled. "My football career was just that." From decompression to finding fulfillment in the journey, here is an overview of Brady's top quotes from "The Herd."
Chance of a return?
"I know in my heart how I feel. I put it out on the field for 23 years and I am super proud of what's been accomplished, and I just wanted to keep last week really short and sweet. I feel like I have given a lot, I have gained a lot, I've learned a lot and life is about exciting things ahead too. I think when one thing closes like football has for me for 32 years of my life and I look forward to what is ahead, there are new chapters and there are new exciting things and there is new growth. There are new opportunities, and I am really excited for what is ahead. I have loved my time in football, it has been the incredible love of my life and it is hard to make decisions like that but it's certainly the right time."
Sabbatical?
"I think for me, absolutely. Decompression is important. You are on this really crazy treadmill/hamster wheel for a long time – loving the moment and loving the journey – but at the same time, it is a daily fight…I want to be great at what I do and even talking last week to the people at FOX Sports and the leadership there, allowing me to start my FOX opportunity in the fall of 2024 and something that is great for me, so it takes time to learn and to be great at what I want to do, become great at thinking about the opportunity and making sure I don't rush into anything. I think when people really bet on me and I think one thing about my career, whether it was when I was drafted by the Patriots or signed in free agency with the Bucs, I wanted to be fully committed. I never wanted to let people down and I think my biggest motivator was that so even in the future, I want to be great at what I do and that takes time and strategizing and learning and growing and evolving…"
Self-reflection of film reveals what?
"I think the torture of that is I see all the flaws, to be honest. I probably look at a lot of other people and think, 'Wow, look at how amazing they are and how incredible they have performed under pressure.' For me, from my own perspective, I don't see myself that way. I see, 'Gosh what could I have done better, agh that throw sucked, agh that was the wrong read, agh why did I call that play,' and I think that is the agonizing part about being an athlete. I think that is part of the reason why you continue to reach and dig deep because you only see the flaws and you want to make those flaws better and you realize that you are never a finished product, and you want to improve and to learn…I always strive to be a little bit better and people around me pushed me to be the best I could be. I think so much of the enjoyment and the fulfillment comes in the journey and not necessarily, 'Oh I got there that one time' or 'I got there 10 times.' It is the pursuit of that and the practice, the meetings, all those things were really what I enjoyed on this journey and not just the outcome of a game."
