The year is 2000. A scrawny 22-year-old from San Mateo, California was just selected as the 199th overall pick after playing college football in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Back then, how many people would have thought in 21 years, this exact same football player would become arguably the greatest player ever, yet alone to drop back in the pocket?
One did. And that person was Tom Brady.
“There’s a reason Tom Brady is known as the #GreatestEver, and it’s because of his ability to grow and evolve, as he is always learning,” said Kevin Plank, Under Armour Founder and Executive Chairman.
“Tom has been foundational to the UA Family as he embodies the spirit and heart of what our brand is all about. It is an honor to be a part of his iconic and storied career – and it’s just getting started.”
Last March, when Tom Brady became a free agent, he was met with criticism and questions. Why, after 20 decorated years with an iconic franchise, was Brady moving on, and does he have what it takes to find success?
On Sunday, any outstanding questions were put to rest as Brady led the Buccaneers to victory in Super Bowl LV, marking his 7th title, and the franchise’s first Championship since 2003.
Of his 264 career wins, seven of those have come in the last game of the season, which is the ultimate goal at the start of each season. It’s also a feat unmatched by any other quarterback and only one other football player.
On or off the field, success at that level just doesn’t come on its own. You have to work for it. And it doesn’t come from just inside the gym. In fact, Under Armour and Tom Brady both believe that in addition to training the body, you have to train your mind.
“So much of my routine is about training. I train my body and I train my mind. My training has evolved over the years. A lot of times we learn the wrong ways to do things when we’re young and it gets hard to undo those things when we get older, but I’ve worked hard at evolving that routine.”
Tom Brady
“Mental strength training is the key ingredient behind Tom Brady becoming the greatest of all time,” said Paul Winsper, Under Armour’s Vice President of Human Performance, Science and Research. “The combination of Brady’s high performance habits, and his holistic training regimen have allowed him to do what he loves for so long.”
Through the 21 years on the gridiron; through the rain, snow, the wind, and the sun; through the negative headlines and the haters of his first year with a new team; through all of the odds that a 199th overall pick will be faced with, Tom Brady continues to show us the true meaning of The Only Way Is Through.
“I want my teammates and the people that believe in me to know that I walk onto the field and set my intentions each and every week. You compete to win and that’s what I love to do.” – Tom Brady