Tom Brady Shares His One Career Regret After Watching Patrick Mahomes: ‘What the Hell Happened to Me?’
Tom Brady reflects on his NFL career regret after watching Patrick Mahomes’ performance, openly questioning the decisions he made throughout his own time in the league.
Recently, Tom Brady appeared on The Pivot podcast alongside retired NFL players Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder. The former quarterback, renowned for his impressive career that includes seven Super Bowl victories and 23 seasons, shared a significant regret from his playing days.
Brady candidly admitted that as he grew older, he realized he had become too serious about football. Although he never took his success for granted, he acknowledged that there were moments in his career when he might have taken some of his wins for granted.
Tom Brady regretted his game strategy when he was younger.
Brady’s initial passion for football stemmed from the simple joy of throwing the ball, rather than a sole focus on becoming a champion. Throughout his career, Brady’s love for the game sometimes conflicted with his role as a player.
Starting off overlooked on the depth charts, Brady eventually became one of the sport’s most dominant figures. However, as the expectations and pressure to win grew, he found that the pure joy he once experienced on the field began to fade.
“In my later years, I often enjoyed practice more than actual games,” Brady reflected. “During games, I set such high expectations for myself that I became overly critical. In contrast, practice was a space where I could have fun and be more relaxed without the intense scrutiny.”
Brady chose to leave the New England Patriots after a distinguished career, during which he won six titles, and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent. He then led the Buccaneers to another Super Bowl victory later in his career. Brady admitted that by that point, his approach to the game had become too serious.
Tom Brady on Patrick Mahomes’ Influence on Reflection
Watching younger players like Patrick Mahomes enjoy the game with a carefree attitude reminded Brady of his own early days in football. He acknowledged that, over time, he had lost some of that lightheartedness and perspective. Meanwhile, in an earlier interview, Mahomes revealed that he considers Brady the GOAT.
“Even though I briefly returned to the field for one last season, I have now officially retired,” Brady confirmed. “I won’t be making a comeback in a jersey, but my passion for the sport remains strong. I’m looking forward to embracing the next phase of my life with a renewed sense of enjoyment and perspective.”
