NFL legend Tom Brady picks his favorite Super Bowl ring (And it's not 2021 vs Chiefs)
Tom Brady has cemented himself as the greatest quarterback to play in the National Football League. The New England Patriots legend won seven Super Bowls in his 23-year pro football career. Brady was known for his never-ending drive for greatness.
In 2005, after winning three Super Bowls, Brady was asked which was his favorite Super Bowl ring by Steve Kroft in a "60 Minutes" interview. The NFL icon famously replied his favorite ring was the "next one."
Last week, Brady was a guest on the "Roommates Show" hosted by NBA stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, at the Fanatics Fest NYC. Now that Brady has retired with seven Super Bowl rings, Hart asked him his favorite one.
"I'd say they're like your children'" Brady said. "They're all special for different reasons and I think that they all have different significance." [From 20:21 mark onwards]
However, Brady did not stop there. The former Patriots QB hinted at his favorite ring by connecting the dots with the greatest game he's played in his career.
"I would say I'd say the greatest game I was ever part of was the one where we beat Atlanta [Falcons]. And I just sometimes, even the next day I remember I turned the tape on, cuz you know as a player you don't see so much of what's going on. You just kind of see it from your little narrow perspective."
Brady continued, explaining why the 2017 Super Bowl game against the Atlanta Falcons holds the special place in his heart.
"I remember going back in the times that I've watched that game ever since I go holy sh*t I still can't believe we won that game cuz there were so many plays that it was one inch here, one inch there and I'm just happy we were on the right side of winning that."
Many consider his 2021 Super Bowl victory against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs as the ultimate feat and there are multiple reasons for it. Firstly, he was not playing under the coaching of Bill Belichick. The debate of who mattered more to the success of the Patriots - Belichick or Brady? has been continuing for a long time. And the three-time NFL MVP winning a Super Bowl ring without his further head coach, in just his first year, made the victory even sweeter and put an end to the debate.
Next, Brady's age. He was 43 years old when he won his seventh Super Bowl. There were a lot of naysayers who believed that Brady could not reciprocate his dominance after switching teams and conferences. The former Buccaneers QB shut their mouths by trouncing the Chiefs 31-9 in the 2021 Super Bowl.
Given the significance of this victory, one would believe it could be his favorite. But the 2017 Super Bowl, where Brady led a historic comeback, and the adversity he went through, with deflategate and four-game suspension, made it the sweetest for him.
Tom Brady led Patriots' epic 2017 Super Bowl comeback vs Falcons
The Super Bowl LI is considered by many as the greatest game in NFL history. Matt Ryan led the Atlanta Falcons' high-powered offense against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. By the end of the first half, it looked to be one of the biggest blowout victories in Super Bowl history.
The Falcons led the Patriots 21-3 at half-time. The then-NFL MVP Ryan had a perfect passer rating of 158.3. It didn't take much time for the Falcons to score as the second half began. Ryan's touchdown further grew their lead to 28-3. The Patriots could not find the rhythm on the offense in the absence of tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The Tom Brady happened.
The Patriots slowly got the offense going and by fourth quarter they posed real threat to the Falcons. Julian Edelman's sensational catch with 2:28 on the clock, helped them tie the game 28-28 at the end of regulation. The Patriots won the coin toss in overtime and drove down to Falcons' 2-yard line. James White's dive sealed the 34-28 win for the Patriots.
Tom Brady was named the 2017 Super Bowl MVP for leading the New England Patriots to a historic comeback win. He threw for 466 yards, two touchdowns and one interceptions, with a passer rating of 95.2.