Pass shares bond with Brady
Woonsocket coach, Pats QB drafted by Patriots in 2000
FOXBORO – Bring up Tom Brady in a conversation with Patrick Pass and you’ll get a smile and a reminder about the pair’s special bond.
“He’s still representing the Class of 2000,” Pass said, a nod to himself and Brady being drafted the same year by the New England Patriots. “Eighteen years ago and the guy is still going strong and still breaking records. I’m so proud to be able to call him a former teammate.”
Brady is gearing up for yet another season opener with the Houston Texans on deck at Gillette Stadium this afternoon (1 o’clock kickoff). Meanwhile, Pass is in his second season in his second stint as an assistant coach with the Woonsocket High football program. The last time Pass appeared in an NFL game was during the 2007 season. Back then, Brady could lay claim to three Super Bowl titles, the same three championships that Pass was also a part of during the eight years he spent as a running back with the Patriots.
Placing even greater emphasis on the 2000 draft classmates who, because of that distinction will forever be linked, is the fact that Brady turned 41 last month and Pass will follow suit on New Year’s Eve. Again, Brady is still looking to rewrite NFL history, while Pass’ main concern these days is getting Woonsocket’s secondary primed and ready.
“At his age, it’s amazing what he’s still able to do,” Pass said, speaking after Woonsocket claimed a 23-6 road win over St. Raphael this past Friday night.
Brady and Pass were drafted one round apart by New England in 2000, Brady going in the sixth round at pick No. 199 while Pass heard his name called with the 239th overall selection. In a sport where the end of the line can come with very little notice, Pass believes that Brady will be afforded the opportunity to call it a career when he feels the time is right.
“Tom is going to leave on his own terms, which is a great thing,” Pass said. “Every player goes into the NFL wanting to leave on their own terms, but Tom is ageless. He’s doing whatever it takes and whatever is necessary as far as taking care of his body. It’s paying dividends.”
A member of the Patriots Alumni association, Pass will show up during training camp, share a high five with Brady, and reminisce about the days when they both wore the same New England colors.
“During the season, I’ll give Tom his space and let him and the team do what they’ve got to do. I don’t want to cause too much of a scene,” Pass said. “I also want to give my guys [meaning the Woonsocket players] my full attention.”
As the age gap between Brady and many of his Patriots teammates continues to widen – for example, rookie running back Sony Michel is 23 – Pass remembered when he walked into the New England locker room and met the team’s established veterans at the time, guys like Ty Law, Willie McGinest, and Tedy Bruschi.
“It’s almost like Tom is a granddad to some of the younger guys but they need someone like him to look up to when they get into the league,” Pass said. “The NFL can be stressful. If you’re a young guy, especially an undrafted free agent or a late-round draft pick, you don’t know if you’re going to make the team. There’s no guarantee, but having a guy like Tom where you can go up to him and ask questions and see what you need to do … I would definitely stick by his side if I were a young guy. That’s what I did when I played with McGinest and Bruschi.
“I watched Troy Brown go full speed every day during practice and I’m like, ‘Okay, this is what it’s going to take for me to have a lengthy career,” Pass added. “I played with some great guys.”
Asked to share his favorite Brady story, Pass offered up an episode that unfolded during the pair’s rookie year.
“Drew Bledsoe put dye in Brady’s socks and we came into the locker room and didn’t know what was going on. We were in training camp and when Tom took his shoes off, all you could see were these purple feet. Everyone was laughing. It was also a good moment.”