Meet Maya Brady, UCLA softball star and Tom’s niece! She calls ‘Uncle Tommy’ a father figure – but dreams of outshining him at the 2028 Olympics!

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for the Brady family. And while Tom may be the most famous name, his niece Maya is enjoying her own time in the spotlight with the College Softball World Series underway.

Shortstop Maya is one of the best players in the game, highlighted by her performance in UCLA’s 4-1 win over Alabama on Thursday, where she scored a run. They will be back in action on Saturday against Oklahoma.

Tom regularly posts about Maya on his Instagram and congratulates her on her victories. He will now be her most famous fan when she takes to the field on Saturday.

“Even though I don’t mind being known as Tom Brady’s niece, at the end of the day I would prefer to just be known as Maya Brady,” she said in a 2021 interview with Togethxr, which she affectionately referred to he was referred to as ‘Uncle Tommy’.

Maya, who turns 23 on Saturday, was born in San Mateo, California, and was named the 2020 Softball America Freshman of the Year.

Brady comes from an elite sporting background – her uncle is none other than Tom Brady

Brady, who turns 23 on Saturday, wants to be known for her own success in her sport

She was born to Maureen Brady – Tom’s sister – and Brian Timmons and while Tom is the main person with a sporting pedigree she’s rooting for, he’s not the only one.

Her mother was an All-American pitcher at Fresno State and Maya’s aunt, Julie Brady, is married to two-time World Series winner Kevin Youkilis – who won both of his titles with the Boston Red Sox.

And while these two are the most obvious examples of role models for her, it is also said that Brady idolizes Serena Williams “because of her lion attitude and her will to win.”

She told Togethxr, “When I was 10 years old I watched UCLA in the World Series and ever since I wanted to go to UCLA. That was the school I went to.”

She also looks up to Amanda Lorenz, a softball player who won gold for the United States at the 2022 World Games and the 2023 Pan American Games.

However, Brady has made no secret of how close she is to her uncle. When he finally retired last February, she posted an emotional tribute to him on her Instagram.

“Watching you play football is one of the greatest joys of my life,” she wrote.

“I can’t even tell you how many lunch arguments I’ve had in the last twenty years of my life, lol.

Brady is in her fifth year at UCLA and has big plans for life after college in the coming years

She has previously hinted that she would like to compete for the US in the 2028 Olympics

‘The best to ever do it! I love you so much.’

She told Togethxr that Brady has a bigger influence on her than just an uncle.

“I would definitely consider him more of a father figure than my uncle,” she said. “After all the critics have said about him, I just learned from him that you don’t really have to prove anything to anyone.

“He doesn’t listen to people when they tell him he’s not good enough or too old.”

Brady, in her fifth year, is also studying hard for a master’s degree in transformative coaching after earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology.

For the time being, the investigations are on hold. The World College Softball Series continues through June 7 when the finals will be a three-game series.

But if all goes according to plan, Maya will take her game to the ultimate sporting stage of them all – and one her Uncle Tommy never competed in – when the 2028 Olympic Games take place in Los Angeles.

“Yes, I definitely thought about it,” she said in an interview with UCLA Athletics in January.

“There’s really nothing that can compare to being an Olympian. I think the ultimate goal for every athlete is to achieve Olympic status.

Maya pictured with her ‘Uncle Tommy’, who she has previously described as a ‘father figure’

Maya, who grew up in California, is aiming for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

‘It’s a great opportunity, a unique opportunity. I think I’ll definitely consider playing (UCLA) next and extending my time.”

In that same interview, Brady also talked about how eye-opening it has been to explore the world of endorsements allowed through NIL deals.

She hasn’t been as aggressive about it as athletes like Olivia Dunne, but she has a steadily growing portfolio of endorsements with companies like Dove and American Eagle, as well as the Marriott Bonvoy hotel chain.

She has also signed a partnership with Absolutely Ridiculous, a sporting goods brand for baseball and softball players.

What her future looks like this past June is unclear, but one thing is certain: Brady isn’t going anywhere.