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33 examples of Tom Brady's insane competitiveness
Across the league, there are stories of Brady's intense desire to win, top-notch preparation off the field, and extreme self-confidence that prove nobody loves competing as much as Brady.
Preparation is key. Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison said Brady goaded him into working out at 5:30 A.M. by saying "Good afternoon!" every time Harrison arrived at 6:30 A.M.
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And during Brady's 19 years in the NFL, his competitiveness has become legendary.
Check out 33 of the best examples of Brady's competitiveness below.
It started in high school for Brady. He used to have his high school teammates over his house to study film while his mom made them lunch.
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Source: WEEI
But it wasn't always easy. He hired a psychologist to deal with the stress of being the seventh-string QB when he first got to Michigan.
Source: ESPN
Tom Brady knew he'd be great. When he was drafted, he reportedly told Patriots owner Robert Kraft, "I'm the best decision this organization has ever made."
Source: MMQB
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He told his high-school coach after getting drafted that if he ever got the chance to start in the NFL, the Patriots would never go back to Drew Bledsoe.
Source: USA Today
And when Brady finally got the starting job, he told his backup it was no sweat. "I'm going to be one of the best at this game," he said.
Source: ESPN
19 years later, Brady says he wants to play until he's 48!
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Read more: Tom Brady is having his best season yet — and he says he may keep playing until he is 48
Former Patriot Dan Koppen said that Brady is the most competitive person he's ever met.
Source: CSNNE
Former Patriots backup Damien Huard said Brady once gave his teammates a pep-talk to make sure they wouldn't lose to a group of local firemen in a charity game.
Source: WEEI
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Patriots receiver Danny Amendola said Brady once broke a ping pong paddle after Amendola beat him in a match.
Source: ESPN
Similarly, Huard called Brady a "psychotic competitor," referencing a time Brady threw a backgammon board across the room because he lost.
Source: WEEI
He doesn't take losing well. He admitted that he had to work on his body language so as not to be too hard on his teammates.
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He's always intense. Don't ask Brady to play a game of catch: He'll drill the ball at you from 5 yards away, according to Brandon LaFell.
Read more: Patriots receiver has a great story about Tom Brady's intense preparation
Before afternoon games, Brady makes receivers prepare to stare into the sun by catching balls from the direction where the sun will shine during the game.
Read more: Tom Brady has an intense ritual where he makes receivers prepare to stare into the sun during afternoon games
Brady micromanages his life to play at an age when others retire. For instance, he goes to bed at 8:30 to stay fresh.
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Read more: Tom Brady explains why he goes to sleep at 8:30
And he does it without an alarm by doing brain exercises before bed.
Read more: Tom Brady does brain exercises so he can go to sleep at 9 p.m. and wake up without an alarm
He also has a ridiculous diet that few others could follow.
Read more: Here is what Tom Brady eats to stay in peak condition at an age most players retire
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The diet doesn't even include popular healthy foods like tomatoes, peppers, or mushrooms.
Read more: Tom Brady's diet is so strict that it excludes an entire group of vegetables
And for a treat? Avocado-based ice cream.
Read more: Tom Brady's diet is so strict that he eats avocado-based ice cream as a treat
And somehow, he keeps improving. Brady has worked to get quicker, and at age 39, says he's faster than he was coming out of college!
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Read more: Tom Brady says he's faster now than when he was 22, and it's added an unexpected weapon to his arsenal
He has a healthy respect for good competition. Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett said Brady compliments players who sack him.
Read more: Seahawks player goes on amazing rant about why he hates NFL quarterbacks
And former Patriot Dante Stallworth said that Brady would pay practice-squad players who intercepted him.
Read more: Former Patriots player says Tom Brady paid practice-squad players who intercepted him
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Opponents say he's one of the only quarterbacks who will mix it up and talk trash.
Source: CSNNE
But don't taunt him too much. A college friend said Brady once leveled an opponent during an intramural basketball game because he was trash-talking Tom.
Source: Providence Journal
Brady used "Joker! Rex Ryan, Rex Ryan!" as an audible call as a shot against the Buffalo Bills coach.
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Read more: Tom Brady trolls the Bills by using 'Rex Ryan' as an audible call
Former teammate Darrelle Revis described Brady's desire to win as a "sickness."
Read more: Teammate describes the trait that makes Tom Brady so great
Brady said nothing relieves his anger like a good F-bomb tirade.
Read more: Tom Brady explains why he loves the F-word
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There was speculation that during Deflategate Brady wouldn't take a lesser punishment because it would admit some sort of wrongdoing.
Read more: There's one big reason why Tom Brady may not agree to a settlement in Deflategate
His emails revealed that he called ESPN analyst Mark Brunell a "Patriot hater" for doubting Brady's case in Deflategate.
Read more: Tom Brady sent an email calling an ESPN commentator a 'Patriot hater'
When Brady was suspended for Deflategate, he couldn't be around the team. He apparently called up former Patriots receiver Wes Welker to play catch with him so he could stay sharp.
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Read more: Tom Brady recruited his former top receiver to help him stay sharp during his suspension
He called his first game back from his Deflategate suspension "rusty." He threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns.
Read more: Tom Brady called his performance 'rusty' after throwing for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns in first game back from suspension
Don't ask him to sign a photo where his mechanics look bad — he won't do it.
Read more: Tom Brady is so obsessed with perfection, he won't sign photos where his mechanics look bad
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When asked about retirement plans, Brady quipped, "What am I going to do, go scuba diving?"
But it's all worthwhile for the Patriots. Brady's teammates say every practice is like a game because Brady is so intense.
Source: Cover 32
Now, see what happened to the quarterbacks drafted before Dak Prescott.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The 7 quarterbacks drafted before Dak Prescott >
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