Tom Brady Is My Hero

In the same interview, Brady said, "I think it's a feeling like I've got it all figured out. There's nothing that can shock me anymore. There's nothing I haven't anticipated; so at that point, there is a calmness."

This was a quote taken from an ESPN.com article on Tom Brady, Quarterback of the New England Patriots. As I write this the Patriots are four days from becoming the best team in football history. And Tom Brady is the leader.

The story of Tom Brady is pretty cool. A good athlete through high school he was barely noticed by college coaches. Somehow he landed at one of the top football schools in the country. After college he was drafted almost as an afterthought by the Patriots in the sixth round. That year, seven other quarterbacks were drafted before him. And now he is considered one of the best quarterbacks of all time with four super bowl rings and now an MVP of the league in 2007.

But that quote above pretty much tells you why he's there at this point in his career.

He is prepared.

And he works harder than anyone else to be prepared so that he isn't surprised. Ever.

Parents. Coaches. And goalies all ask me "What can we do so that our goalie has more confidence?"

Help them prepare. Spend the time. Get the shots. Get a variety of shots. Help them feel safe. Give them the tools. Watch game film. Do it all.

And then do it again.

And again.

And again.

Fear only comes from a lack of information. And a lack of information comes from a lack of preparation.

There is no excuse for that. Laziness is an excuse.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/columns/story?id=3219092&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

Go check out the article and get inspired.

Goalies read it to see what preparation can do for you. That dot drill is amazing by the way.

Parents read it so that you can help your kids believe that they can, and will, be good. Someday. If they work hard enough.

Coaches read it and learn not to ever give up on a kid. Think past that athletes success on your team if they aren't getting good fast enough. Think about their long term athletic development and help them succeed long term.

Shoot me some comments or emails at jone94@shaw.ca