Tom’s career has many parallels to only one other athlete: Mohammad Ali. Every time I see something about Ali’s career I see the similarities.
The Upset (out of nowhere)
Ali over Liston. Ali is a huge underdog against Sonny Liston and knocks him out, then again in a rematch.
Brady over Greatest Show on Turf. Brady’s Patriots are 14 point underdogs to the Rams and shock them in Super Bowl 36.
The Early Days of Dominance
Ali defends title 11 times from 1965-70 and appears on track to all time greatness.
Brady wins first 10 playoff games and 3 championships from 2001-04 and appears on track to all time greatness.
The Fall and Struggle to Regain Preeminence
Ali is stripped of title and boxing for refusing to be drafted in 1967, misses three years of his prime. Returns to ring and gets title match with Joe Frazier but loses. It isn’t until 1974 he finally retains undisputed champion status. Continues to come close but loses to Ken Norton in title fight. Title drought is in prime years of career.
Brady falls from grace with league ginned up scandals, losing with 18-1, losing another Super Bowl, and going 10 years of no Lombardis despite being very close. Title drought in prime years of career.
Reclaiming Glory
Ali reclaims the crown in 1974, at almost 34 years old, with an epic win over the sport’s new juggernaut George Foreman.
Brady wins fourth Super Bowl in 2014 in epic Super Bowl win over the new juggernaut Seahawks, at age 37, arguably the best Super Bowl ever.
Unprecedented Late Career Glory & Memorable Matches
Ali’s greatest and most memorable fights are mid-late career where most boxers are past prime. Fight of the Century, Thrilla in Manilla, Rumble in the Jungle, are widely regarded as three of the most classic matches of all time.
Brady’s biggest legacy games are mid-late career past normal QB prime. SB49, 28-3, SB52, and numerous other games.
Final Punctuation Mark
Already considered the GOAT, Ali wins back heavyweight title in rematch against Leon Spinks, at age 36, before rapid decline.
Already considered the GOAT, Brady wins SB55 with Tampa Bay Buccaneers against Patrick Mahomes, at age 43.