The outcome of deflategate notwithstanding, New England quarterback Tom Brady can join perhaps the most elite group in all of sports.
With a victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Brady could join Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw as the only quarterbacks to lead teams to four Super Bowl victories.
“It’s hard to think about those things,” Brady said. “I’ve just been fortunate to be on some great teams. Those guys are unbelievable players, they were so great for this league. They were great teams.”
Brady is from California and grew up as a 49ers fan.
“Joe and Steve Young – who were my two idols – were just great for the game and great for the sport,” Brady said.
Montana said he’d welcome Brady to the club, but he’s uncomfortable with being called the “greatest ever” quarterback or passing that title over to Brady. Montana noted that folks should also look at old-timers Sammy Baugh (1937-52) and Otto Graham (1946-1955) in the group of great league quarterbacks.
“Brady is having a tremendous career,” Montana said on the NFL Network on Thursday. “Let’s enjoy him and say he’s one of the greatest ever to play the game.”
Brady is also set to tie former Buffalo and Denver offensive lineman Mike Lodish for the most Super Bowl appearances with six. Brady played all with the Patriots in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2012.
Brady won his first three appearances, but dropped Super Bowls to the New York Giants in 2008 and 2012.
Brady, 37, doesn’t appear to be taking this Super Bowl visit for granted.
“But you also know that the reality of football is a contact sport and your career can end at any one point so it’s a blessing to be able to be here,” Brady said. “It’s a blessing to make it through a full season and not get injured.”
Brady wants to continue playing, but knows that the end of his career in near.
“It takes a lot of good luck and a lot of blessings and a lot of prayers to walk off the field every single game,” Brady said. “I think the one thing I learned, I had a tough injury about six years ago and even when we lose now, I walk off the field going, ‘Well, at least I get a chance to go out there and do it again.’”
While chasing Montana and Bradshaw, Brady has brushed aside the league’s investigation into his role in the deflation of 11 of 12 footballs during the AFC championship game. He was not aware of an updated report that the league is focusing on Patriots’ locker room attendant.
“I don’t have any comment on those things,” Brady said. “I talked about that last week and I’m not going to talk about any reports. I’m focused on the game.”
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