How Tom Brady took advice from Michael Jordan about retirement

Tom Brady could easily be called the Michael Jordan of the NFL. His sheer ludicrous amount of success would seem to make it a valid comparison.

The two have even conversed and played pickup basketball together. So it’s likely they had conversations on more than one occasion. It could be possible that Jordan, the greatest ever in the NBA, imparted a piece of wisdom he learned during his time. That was when you’re on top, do everything you can to stay there until somebody knocks you off the pedestal.

Jordan mentioned when talking about Chicago Bulls 1998 championship season how he later had regrets about it. Not that they won the title, their sixth in eight years, but that he ended up never knowing for sure how much further that team could’ve gone. Why? They were never beaten on the big stage. The Bulls were a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals during that decade.

So when the team broke up after the season, Jordan was left wondering if they could’ve won seven. Maybe even eight. That’s because he never tasted what previous dynasties like the Lakers and Celtics of the ’80s did. The taste of no longer being the top dog.

Tom Brady is embracing the challenge that Jordan wishes he had

When asked about whether he plans to retire after Super Bowl XLIII, Brady didn’t hesitate. He has no plans to do so and will be back in 2019. Some people were upset by that, but why should he be so interested in walking away. The New England Patriots are playing in their third-straight Super Bowl and ninth since 2001. They haven’t been knocked out of the playoffs short of the AFC championship in nine years.

Name a single reason he has besides age that should compel him to retire? There is none. He and his team are still the creams of the NFL crop until somebody comes along and emphatically proves them otherwise. Sure they’ve lost Super Bowls before but never by more than single digits. Besides, they’re the ones back in the big game while Philadelphia didn’t even reach their conference championship. The staying power remains intact.

Brady is basically doing what Jordan says he should’ve years ago. Dare the rest of the league to knock him off the perch. That’s what competition is all about. Proving you’re the best at what you do until somebody else comes along and proves otherwise.