Thanks to a great recommendation, I watched "The Brady 6," an ESPN documentary about how one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history was taken behind six other quarterbacks in the 2000 NFL Draft. In it, you can witness the long lasting effects of a person feeling he was judged improperly, but also how to become a better person because of it. The most revealing and inspiring part was this statement by Tom Brady at the end:
Here's a quick follow up to my comments on Tom Brady in my "Buy Freeze Pop Factory. Rule World." entry. The anecdote is from this article on ESPNBoston by awesome reporter Mike Reiss. Hopefully it will drive home the point that when this stuff happens to you, or you do it to other people, it's almost impossible to completely erase. And this isn't just Brady towing the Patriot line. Make no mistake, he means it.
He said it with a straight face.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was surrounded by a scrum of reporters following Saturday's training camp practice at Gillette Stadium, and the topic of discussion was the team's stocked depth chart at receiver, filled with players with whom Brady has previously developed a solid rapport. Not all of them will stick around; at least one familiar face likely will be sent packing.
The questioner began: "You're going to be on the team, but one of those receivers ... "
Brady politely interrupted.
"I hope so," he said.
"I hope so," he said again, repeating the thought.
Tom Brady not making the Patriots? Does the greatest quarterback in franchise history really believe that when Bill Belichick makes the team's final cut down to 53 players in late August that he might not be here?
No, probably not, but it's the mindset Brady brings to the practice field every day. It shows in the fiery way he competes in training camp.
"I still feel like a young kid out here trying to earn a spot," he said Saturday.
"...a man who regards sex, life, and himself as evil will not be attracted to a woman of intelligence, independence, and guiltless self-confidence, will not feel at ease and 'at home' with her romantically..."
-Nathaniel Branden, "The Psychology of Self-Esteem," pg 62
Notes
1. Since English doesn't have any gender neutral singular pronouns, the author chose "himself," but the statement would still clearly hold true if the genders were reversed.
2. Though inspired by a specific person, this blog is intended as an artistically exaggerated metaphor for general self-reflection, as I fear it applies to many people.
You told me once there was a darkness deep inside.
