Tom Brady has been sharing some words of wisdom with the next generation of NFL quarterbacks about what really matter regardless of where they were selected on draft night.
The long-time New England Patriots quarterback retired on February 1 after spending three seasons playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite stepping away from the sport, and not starting work as an NFL analyst until next year, Brady has still taken time out to offer advice to the top four quarterbacks in the 2023 draft.
Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson, who went first, second and fourth, respectively, earlier this month were all present. As was Will Levis, who surprisingly dropped out of the first round and was eventually the 33rd pick.
Brady alluded to the contrasting fortunes of Levis and Young during a 30-second clip of the 45-year-old speaking to the four during Thursday's Fanatics lunch alongside the online retailer's co-chair Michael Rubin and American rapper Travis Scott. The latter nods in agreement throughout the speech.
"Going in the second round, in the end, that's not really that big of a deal," Brady said during a video shared by NFL Network's Good Morning Football on social media. "Going first overall, in the end, it's not a big deal.
"It's great; you got an opportunity. You're probably gonna be paid more than anyone for a time period. But I was drafted 199. I just outlasted everybody. There's another me back there.
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Brady continued: "So, how do I keep my edge on everybody? I had to keep working. I didn't go, 'Hey, I'm good. Right? I won three Super Bowls. I'm good.'"
The quarterback did not settle after winning three Super Bowls in his first four years as a starter with the Pats. It took nine years - and two unsuccessful attempts during that time - before Brady won a fourth ring.
Two further Super Bowls followed over the next four years, the second of which came after a third career defeat in the championship game. A seventh and final one came two years after the sixth after swapping the cool climes of New England for the humid heat in Tampa Bay.
Levis, Richardson, Stroud, and Young would no doubt take having even half the career that Brady did during their coming years in the NFL. For the former, these words from the four-time MVP will ring particularly true after his own draft experience.
The Kentucky Wildcats product has plenty of incentive to prove a point once he receives his opportunity in the league. Opening night saw the projected first-round pick left on the draft board.
It was not until the second day of the event that the Tennessee Titans traded up to pick Levis at 33. The 23-year-old should take Brady saying there is another him in the back end of the draft personally and fuel him to fulfil his potential.
