"I'm going for Jordan" - When Julian Edelman recalled Tom Brady's insane drive to overtake Michael Jordan
Tom Brady and Michael Jordan are two GOATS in their respective spheres. Jordan revolutionized basketball, and Brady ended his career as one of the most successful NFL players in history. One cannot deny the similarities between the two, which also translated into multiple championships in the NBA and NFL.
That being said, the recently retired QB was aiming for Jordan's greatness from the beginning. After all, Jordan and his successful six championship runs with the Chicago Bulls is standard in itself.
Former New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman recounted the incident in an earlier appearance on the Games With Names podcast.
GOAT mentality doesn’t stop at just one sport 🐐🏆 https://t.co/vIU5kbnPG5
“It’s like March, and I’m like, ‘What is that?’. He said, ‘That’s where we’re going to go play the last game'. I go, ‘We’re going to get you to pass Joe Montana’ because of four—you know, four Super Bowls,” Edelman recounted.
Tom Brady, however, had other plans.
"He looks at me with that golden stare, with those sizzling steel blue eyes and says, ‘I’m not going for Montana. I’m going for Jordan.'"
Brady, who retired for the second time a few weeks ago, has seven Super Bowl titles to his name. Not only did he surpass Jordan's number, but is also the only NFL player to have more titles than any single NFL team.
Tom Brady has previously raved about Michael Jordan's inspired style
During a 2017 interview, Brady had nothing but praise for Jordan and his inspiring style of play. At the end of the day, one can easily debate their similarities and GOAT status.
"I was in awe of Michael Jordan," Brady told ESPN's Ian O'Connor, "and I still am in awe of what he was and what he meant".
"He was such an effortless player. He put a lot of effort in, but there's an art and a beauty to the way he played the game. That was a very inspiring thing," added Brady.
Tom Brady has his sights set on Michael Jordan 🐐👀
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During that interview, Brady was trying to secure his sixth Super Bowl title. His sixth title came in 2019, and the most recent came in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Out of his 23-season career, Brady spent two decades with the Patriots and three years with the Bucs.