Tom Brady discusses his time and challenges at Michigan

At one point, the idea of leaving and starting fresh somewhere closer to home seemed appealing. However, through perseverance and the support of his coaches, teammates, and Michigan’s renowned sports psychologist Greg Harden, Brady changed his perspective. Harden, who had helped so many athletes before him, helped Brady see the situation differently and encouraged him to focus on controlling what he could and improving every day. He advised him to develop mental toughness, trust in the process, and embrace the opportunity to learn and grow, rather than dwelling on what was out of his control. Brady took this advice to heart, and slowly but surely, his work ethic and mindset began to shift.

"Soon, I was getting 4 reps. Then 10, and before you knew it with this new mindset that Greg had instilled in me—to focus on what you can control, to focus on what you’re getting, not what anyone else is getting, to treat every rep like it’s the Super Bowl—eventually, I became the starter.”Tom Brady

In his third year, Brady became the starting quarterback for the Wolverines. But it wasn’t just his on-field performance that set him apart—it was his leadership. In his senior year, Brady earned the honor of being named team captain, a role he considers one of the most significant accomplishments of his entire career. Becoming captain was a testament to the respect he had earned from his teammates, coaches, and the entire Michigan program. It was in this final season that Brady truly began to realize his potential and take control of his future.

After four years at Michigan, where he played a key role in winning a National Championship in 1997, Brady was drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Although a sixth-round pick wasn’t a glamorous start, Brady’s determination, drive, and hunger for success were unmatched. Those early lessons he learned at Michigan—mental toughness, leadership, and resilience—would serve him well in the NFL.

The rest, as they say, is history. Brady went on to build one of the most illustrious careers in the history of professional football, becoming a seven-time Super Bowl champion and widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time. Yet, despite his extraordinary success, Brady never forgets where it all started. His time at Michigan laid the foundation for everything that came after, and he continues to express his gratitude for the lessons he learned and the opportunities he had in Ann Arbor. Brady’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the value of leadership, and the lasting impact that college sports can have on shaping a person’s future.