- Brady is the most sacked player in NFL history, but says he got up after every hit
- The Kelces recently praised Brady's perseverance after seeing a hard hit from a 2001 game
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Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady clapped back at critics who questioned his toughness during his 23-season NFL career.
On his'Let's gopodcast, Brady spoke with New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor about how much the NFL has changed over the years. Brady and Taylor discussed how the competition has been tougher in recent years, prompting Brady to speak out against the ongoing criticism.
Although widely considered the greatest of all time, Brady is the most sacked player in NFL history with 565. On the program, Brady explained how he got up immediately after each hit.
“Everyone thinks I was great out there,” Brady said. 'I took them all [hit] and got my ass.'
“I never wanted a defensive player to go home thinking, 'I beat him up and he didn't get up,' so I made sure I got up,” Brady added.
Tom Brady responded to critics who questioned his toughness during his 23-season career
Brady is the most sacked player (565) in NFL history, but claims he got up immediately after every hit
Jason (L) and Travis Kelce (R) recently praised Brady for his toughness on their weekly podcast
Although some question Brady's toughness, he recently received praise from Travis and Jason Kelce for his perseverance.
On an episode of the New Heights podcast, the Kelces watched a video of Brady losing his helmet on a hit during a December 2001 game against the Buffalo Bills.
'Oh yes, the helmet is gone. Let's go, that's a hit ladies and gentlemen,” Travis commented. “Of course, in Tom Brady fashion, he gets right back up. Not phased.”
In 2022, Brady admitted that Nate Clements' tackle was the worst hit he took in his career.
The Kelces then debated whether the hit would be legal in today's NFL. Like them, Brady was critical of the way the league is operating in 2023, citing a decline in excellence.
“I think there's a lot of mediocrity in today's NFL,” Brady said on the Stephen A. Smith Show in November. “I no longer see the excellence I saw in the past.”
“I don't think the coaching is as good as it used to be,” Brady added. “I don't think the development of young players is as good as it used to be.”
In 23 seasons, Brady won seven Super Bowls and was named MVP five times. Brady also won two Offensive Player of the Year awards and made 15 Pro Bowl appearances among a long list of accolades.
In 2024, Brady will begin his new, high-profile role as Fox Sports' lead NFL analyst.