Brady’s next mission:
Chip on his shoulder not going away
HOUSTON — Tom Brady didn’t let on outwardly what he was feeling during his highly anticipated hookup with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Sure, he flashed a huge grin when they got on the stage together and posed for pictures, but it was awkward. Maybe in his head, he was doing one of his familiar fist pumps when Goodell, the man who sent him into exile for four games over Deflategate, handed over the Super Bowl MVP trophy.
Maybe this moment was hugely cathartic for Brady, even though he didn’t show it, or talk about it. He kept it all above board, dodging when asked if this would help improve his relationship with the commissioner.
“It’s an honor to be here and have the commissioner present us with this trophy,” Brady said. “It certainly means a lot. My kids will be happy to see that trophy. They always ask, ‘Daddy, what about the trophy?’ And I get to bring them one home, so it’s pretty cool.”
Let’s just say Brady will never forget what went down with Deflategate and that investigation. That wound and those scars will always be there. But he can tuck it away now. It’s been dealt with, and filed, just like the six quarterbacks and 198 players who were selected ahead of him in the 2000 NFL draft. He can stick it in the closet and move on.
So what does that mean? It means striving for No. 6, or as it’s now being referred to in some circles: “Seeking 6.”
After some time off to rest and enjoy the events of Super Bowl LI, that will be the motivation for Brady, and why not? Just keep adding to the legacy. The story isn’t over. It’s far from finished. The chapters keep getting better. Every time you think he’s done the impossible, Brady blows your mind with something else.
He’ll find a way to top Sunday night’s epic performance in the 34- 28 overtime win over the Falcons where he had a stinker first half, and went lights out in the second half to bring the Patriots back from a 25-point deficit. All while trying to win one for his mother Galynn, who’s been battling cancer and was on hand to watch a game for the first time this season.
“There’s a lot of emotions. From the lows of not playing great, to the highs of playing great. Then finally at the end, it was a great way to finish,” said Brady, who threw for 466 yards. “To celebrate with my teammates then to see my family. It was a night I’ll never forget. It was a great win for our team . . . we’ll be able to celebrate for a long time.”
He’ll celebrate, all right, then Brady will be Brady and move on to the next one. He’ll focus on the next ring. That’s always been the challenge and motivation for him through 17 seasons.
And if he needs a push, after he turns 40 next year, he’ll have to deal with all the people who once again will be wondering when his skills are going to start to fade.
The Father Time questions will be back, with some doubting he can continue to sustain his level of play, all of which will be fuel for Brady to once again prove the naysayers wrong. As he told people here all week, he believes he can play well into his 40s given the program he’s on and how he takes care of himself.
“I don’t feel 39. I hang out with a bunch of 20-year-olds, so that makes you feel pretty young,” Brady said yesterday, when asked the age question. “I try to just take care of myself . . . for 17 years, you kind of learn what to do and what works for you. I’ve found a unique way, that’s probably a little outside the box that’s really worked.”
Whether there was closure with Goodell yesterday or not, Brady, who shook the commissioner’s hand on his way out, will always be a guy with the chip on his shoulder. He will always be a football player trying to be better, and be vindicated in some way.
That’s just who he is.