Tom Brady. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tom Brady's biggest pet peeve about young players in the NFL

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated May 20, 2024 6:02 PM ET

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has won more games and more Super Bowls than any other passer in NFL history.

So when he speaks, people tend to listen.

During a luncheon with Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, Brady addressed a small group of 2024 first-round picks and he offered some stern advice to help them avoid what he considers the top issue with some of the new crop of NFL stars.

“When you have 53 guys on the team, you think it’s about you; it ain’t about you, it’s about us,” Brady said. “And the biggest problem I see with a lot of the young players today, you guys are making it too much about I and me because of social media, because of branding and all that. It’s fine — you’re not going to win. … There was a difference between being a star and being a champion.”

Breakfast with Jay and Tom > $500k but seriously awesome morning with @TomBrady, Jay-Z and our @Fanatics NFL rookies discussing sports and business! Tommy and Jay thank you so much for the invaluable advice and knowledge you shared – this was such an incredible opportunity… pic.twitter.com/DAQigCh5x9
— Michael Rubin (@michaelrubin) May 19, 2024

The draft picks at the luncheon included Bears QB Caleb Williams, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, Patriots QB Drake Maye, Giants WR Malik Nabers, Broncos QB Box Nix, and Raiders TE Brock Bowers — six of the top 14 players selected in last month’s draft.

Brady’s remarks seem to fall in line with what he said on the “Deep Cut with Vic Blends” podcast last month in which he suggested that a lot of the younger players entering the NFL today have been coddled and don’t know how to deal with adversity.

To Brady’s point, college athletes are subjected to a new level of fame and celebrity at an earlier age now because of Name, Image and Likeness as well as the brand endorsement deals they’re allowed to pursue with the changing landscape of college athletics.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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