Tom Brady, from adversity to applause

Tom Brady / Kieth Allison-flickr.com

Many professional athletes must overcome immense adversity throughout their career. One prime example is New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Apart from his three Super Bowl Championships and illustrious career, Brady struggled through much of his early years of football.

Brady didn't have the greatest college career, he actually had a mediocre run with the University of Michigan. His first two years he played as a backup to future NFL quarterback Brian Griese. He ended up as the seventh player on the depth chart and had to battle Drew Henson for a starting job, leading him to frustration and anxiety.

Greg Harden, a sports psychologist at the University of Michigan, was approached by young Brady. Brady said that Harden kicked him into a higher gear mentally.

“Your whole life, people have always told you how great you are as an athlete,” Brady said in a 2014 Detroit Free Press article. “He’s probably the first person in your life that says, ‘Well, you don’t deserve to really be on the field.’”

At the beginning of his junior year, Brady spent many hours studying film and practicing every throw on the field, something he would become known for in his later career. During his third year, he beat out Henson for the starting position and led the Wolverines to a 9-2 record in his senior year, en route to a victory against Alabama in the Orange Bowl, 34-33.

After two years of being overlooked, Brady changed his own life. He became the player that would be the first one to practice and the last one leaving the film room. Football went from a game he played, to what he loved. He was able to change his state of mind and become the calm and collected future Hall of Fame player he is today.

"He always believes there is someone behind him that is going to take his job," Temple University’s offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler says. "He is 34 years old and approaches the game like he just got drafted in the sixth round."