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When the clock ticked down to zero in the NFC divisional playoff game between Tampa Bay and hosting New Orleans and quarterbacks Tom Brady and Drew Brees embraced at midfield of the Superdome, renowned quarterback and pitching coach Tom House got choked up.
The future Hall of Famers had just shared what was likely their last encounter as opponents. House, who lives in San Diego and works with both, basked in the magnitude of the moment. “It was top- three for me,” House, 73, told USA TODAY Sports. “Catching Henry Aaron’s 715th, hearing Nolan Ryan talk about me in his Hall of Fame speech and then this weekend, watching Drew and Tom Brady go after each other, knowing I had a coaching relationship with them, but even more importantly, a friendship and mentorship relationship with them.”
House was a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and found himself in the bullpen with the ball descending toward him April 8, 1974, when Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record. Then in the ’ 80s he served as pitching coach for Texas Rangers, where Ryan ranked among his charges.
In 2006, as Brees aimed to rebound from career- threatening shoulder surgery, he enlisted House’s services. Roughly eight years ago, Brady also signed on with the coach.
“No one is ever going to see that again,” House said of the Brady- Brees finale. “Never again in football is there going to be two 40- year- old Hall of Famers going against each other. It’s not that it couldn’t be done. It’s just the circumstances involved in sports right now, and the money involved, there’s no reason for anyone to play football
“Brady might be 43 years old chronologically, but his biological age is probably, 34, 35.” Tom House Renowned quarterback and pitching coach