My 1999 Tom Brady anecdote

[Patriot Artist]

Hey all,

In preparation for Sunday's great game, I'd like to share this with you. From September to December 1999 I was a Massachusetts to Michigan transplant, training new employees for the company I worked for. So for a good part of four months I lived at the Residence Inn in Ann Arbor, MI.

As I got to know my new town, I became aware of U of M's football schedule, and how tough it was to get into the city during home games. As training manager it was my job to guide staff around to the local shops, museums, and restaurants on weekends. (Great area to live, by the way. Fantastic seafood and dim sum at Great Lakes, Meyer's Supermarket had the largest grapefruits I've ever seen and the Mongolian Barbeque was a treat for spicy dinners).

Wanting to pick up a piece of local wear, I bought a #10 replica jersey (it was not cheap!), a certain upstart named Tom Brady was quietly making a name for himself as a determined college QB and I wanted a memento.

On the occasional weekend home to Massachusetts I would talk to my buddies about Brady-- no one had heard of him. But he was building a winning streak back in Michigan.

When the Pats drafted him in 2000, I couldn't believe the lack of excitement in NE; it amazed me that this same kid, so hot in Ann Arbor the year before, was a footnote in the NFL. But the Pats scouts had done their homework.

I wear good old #10 during all the playoff and championship games. Had I wished I'd seen him play at college? You bet. Am I glad we got him in NE? Ditto!

 

[patsox23]

excellent story. Thanks for sharing. I always wanted to get a copy of the Michigan Rose Bowl from Brady's Sr. Year. Any advice?

 

[cstjohn17]

Wierd. I though his new girlfriend Gisele Bundchen has the nicest grapefruits and a fine dim sum... ha ha ha...

Hey all,

In preparation for Sunday's great game, I'd like to share this with you. From September to December 1999 I was a Massachusetts to Michigan transplant, training new employees for the company I worked for. So for a good part of four months I lived at the Residence Inn in Ann Arbor, MI.

As I got to know my new town, I became aware of U of M's football schedule, and how tough it was to get into the city during home games. As training manager it was my job to guide staff around to the local shops, museums, and restaurants on weekends. (Great area to live, by the way. Fantastic seafood and dim sum at Great Lakes, Meyer's Supermarket had the largest grapefruits I've ever seen and the Mongolian Barbeque was a treat for spicy dinners).

Wanting to pick up a piece of local wear, I bought a #10 replica jersey (it was not cheap!), a certain upstart named Tom Brady was quietly making a name for himself as a determined college QB and I wanted a memento.

On the occasional weekend home to Massachusetts I would talk to my buddies about Brady-- no one had heard of him. But he was building a winning streak back in Michigan.

When the Pats drafted him in 2000, I couldn't believe the lack of excitement in NE; it amazed me that this same kid, so hot in Ann Arbor the year before, was a footnote in the NFL. But the Pats scouts had done their homework.

I wear good old #10 during all the playoff and championship games. Had I wished I'd seen him play at college? You bet. Am I glad we got him in NE? Ditto!

 

[Michigan Dave]

excellent story. Thanks for sharing. I always wanted to get a copy of the Michigan Rose Bowl from Brady's Sr. Year. Any advice?

It was the Orange Bowl, not the Rose. If you want a copy, PM me and I can help you out. I have fond memories of that trip. Winning that game was typical TB.

Media Day in Miami:

Chillin' in South Beach on Christmas:

Tom and Drew Henson. (OMFG!!THEYARENTKILLINGEACHOTHER!!! [/media])

From our celebration on the field (Tom's on the stage being hugged)

 

[Michigan Dave]

When the Pats drafted him in 2000, I couldn't believe the lack of excitement in NE; it amazed me that this same kid, so hot in Ann Arbor the year before, was a footnote in the NFL. But the Pats scouts had done their homework.

Please share this story with as many people as possible. The lore that Brady was hated in AA and everyone loved Drew Henson drives me crazy.

 

[sarge]

I'll be straight.

When they announced that the 199th pick was Brady, I walked into the other room and told me wife the new coach was a moron. I told her they wasted a pick on some labratory skeleton looking kid who wouldn't make it past the first round of cuts.

I was pissed because I was thinking that most times picks that late don't turn into much, but sometimes they might. Why pick a guy who clearly had no shot as we had a franchise QB and a great backup!

Never in my life was I so pleased to be wrong!

 

[Michigan Dave]

I'll be straight.

When they announced that the 199th pick was Brady, I walked into the other room and told me wife the new coach was a moron. I told her they wasted a pick on some labratory skeleton looking kid who wouldn't make it past the first round of cuts.

I was pissed because I was thinking that most times picks that late don't turn into much, but sometimes they might. Why pick a guy who clearly had no shot as we had a franchise QB and a great backup!

Never in my life was I so pleased to be wrong!

Not me. I told Tom "in 3 years, you'll start over Bledsoe."

I was wrong. It only took 1.

 

[BelichickFan]

When they took Brady, I was thinking "maybe he could be a poor man's Brian Griese, who was looking good for Denver at the time".

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

Hey all,

In preparation for Sunday's great game, I'd like to share this with you. From September to December 1999 I was a Massachusetts to Michigan transplant, training new employees for the company I worked for. So for a good part of four months I lived at the Residence Inn in Ann Arbor, MI.

As I got to know my new town, I became aware of U of M's football schedule, and how tough it was to get into the city during home games. As training manager it was my job to guide staff around to the local shops, museums, and restaurants on weekends. (Great area to live, by the way. Fantastic seafood and dim sum at Great Lakes, Meyer's Supermarket had the largest grapefruits I've ever seen and the Mongolian Barbeque was a treat for spicy dinners).

Wanting to pick up a piece of local wear, I bought a #10 replica jersey (it was not cheap!), a certain upstart named Tom Brady was quietly making a name for himself as a determined college QB and I wanted a memento.

On the occasional weekend home to Massachusetts I would talk to my buddies about Brady-- no one had heard of him. But he was building a winning streak back in Michigan.

When the Pats drafted him in 2000, I couldn't believe the lack of excitement in NE; it amazed me that this same kid, so hot in Ann Arbor the year before, was a footnote in the NFL. But the Pats scouts had done their homework.

I wear good old #10 during all the playoff and championship games. Had I wished I'd seen him play at college? You bet. Am I glad we got him in NE? Ditto!

So YOU'RE the guy I always see in the crown with the Big Blue #10!

 

[Patriot Artist]

Hey Michigan Dave,

Thanks for posting the pictures. Perfect for this thread. Can you share some Michigan stories with us?

 

[Patriot Artist]

Not me. I told Tom "in 3 years, you'll start over Bledsoe."

I was wrong. It only took 1.

Michigan Dave,

Would you happen to know who Tom was cheering for in the Pats vs. Greenbay Superbowl? Always wanted to ask that question...

 

[milwaukeebeers44]

Hey all,

In preparation for Sunday's great game, I'd like to share this with you. From September to December 1999 I was a Massachusetts to Michigan transplant, training new employees for the company I worked for. So for a good part of four months I lived at the Residence Inn in Ann Arbor, MI.

As I got to know my new town, I became aware of U of M's football schedule, and how tough it was to get into the city during home games. As training manager it was my job to guide staff around to the local shops, museums, and restaurants on weekends. (Great area to live, by the way. Fantastic seafood and dim sum at Great Lakes, Meyer's Supermarket had the largest grapefruits I've ever seen and the Mongolian Barbeque was a treat for spicy dinners).

Wanting to pick up a piece of local wear, I bought a #10 replica jersey (it was not cheap!), a certain upstart named Tom Brady was quietly making a name for himself as a determined college QB and I wanted a memento.

On the occasional weekend home to Massachusetts I would talk to my buddies about Brady-- no one had heard of him. But he was building a winning streak back in Michigan.

When the Pats drafted him in 2000, I couldn't believe the lack of excitement in NE; it amazed me that this same kid, so hot in Ann Arbor the year before, was a footnote in the NFL. But the Pats scouts had done their homework.

I wear good old #10 during all the playoff and championship games. Had I wished I'd seen him play at college? You bet. Am I glad we got him in NE? Ditto!

Good seafood in A2?? Do tell. I was out there two years as a native RIer and never could find anything on South Main St that could come close. I did enjoy Mongolian BBQ quite a few times, though!

I was not lucky enough to be in Ann Arbor while Tom was playing (no, I got the John Navarre days).

 

[Michigan Dave]

Good seafood in A2?? Do tell. I was out there two years as a native RIer and never could find anything on South Main St that could come close. I did enjoy Mongolian BBQ quite a few times, though!

I was not lucky enough to be in Ann Arbor while Tom was playing (no, I got the John Navarre days).

You should've tried Real Seafood on Main St. It's probably Ann Arbor's best seafood.

My office is on Main St. downtown.

 

[Michigan Dave]

Michigan Dave,

Would you happen to know who Tom was cheering for in the Pats vs. Greenbay Superbowl? Always wanted to ask that question...

Wow. Good question. He would've been a redshirt freshman then (1996 regular season), and I was a junior in high school, so I didn't know him then. I never really asked him about that. I would guess the Pats, because he was a big 49ers fan, and they were eliminated by Green Bay that year. Knowing Tommy's competitiveness, I'm guessing he was rooting against Green Bay. He was indifferent on the Pats before being drafted. In practice, he and Drew Henson used to go back and forth about the Cowboys-9ers. Henson always wanted to be a Cowboy, and Tommy was the huge 9ers guy, so they'd talk junk about the old rivalry. I used to throw the Pats into the equation, but they really had no love for the AFC.

 

[Michigan Dave]

Hey Michigan Dave,

Thanks for posting the pictures. Perfect for this thread. Can you share some Michigan stories with us?

Hmmm....well, I don't know where to start. In 99 we played Wisconsin in Madison. Tommy had a pretty good game, and we were winning when he got rocked, and had to leave with a concussion. Woozy, he got sent to the bench. I went over when the medical staff was treating him, and then when they left, I sat next to him on the bench to see how messed up he was. He would ask me the score of the game, and then he asked me if he had thrown an interception. I told him he had, I think it was a crossing route to Dave Terrell he missed on. He would respond "Damn. Wish I could have that one back. Gotta protect the ball." Then, about 2 minutes later, we'd repeat the cycle. Finally, the staff took him to the lockerroom.

At the Orange Bowl, twice we fell behind 'Bama by 14 points. Alabama at that time was considered to be playing the best football in the nation. We were underdogs. After they went up 28-14 in the 3rd, off of a Freddie Milons punt return right in front of our sideline, Tommy went up and down the bench, telling each and every player that we were going to win, and that "we've been here, done this." Sure enough, from that point, he was perfect. Next two drives were TDs, he then drove us to the 1 when Anthony Thomas fumbled what would've been the go-ahead TD. No problem. We got the ball back in the 4th with about 2 minutes left, and Tommy drove us inside the 20. The last second FG was blocked. Overtime. 1 play, 25 yard TD pass. Ballgame. I still have that ball. Amazing.

He was so much smarter than any other player we had. He would run through options with the coaches in practice, and have situations in his head that I can't believe he not only thought of, but had answers for. He also ran the meanest play fake I've ever seen in spring of 99. We had Tommy Hendricks (future Miami Dolphin) as one of our safeties. Hendricks loved to show up the offense in practice, and let them know how badass our defense was. Brady ran a play that had a fake, and then a fake off of the end around. Hendricks was blitzing, and was about to clean Brady's clock on the exchange, when he stopped, and started chasing Marcus Knight, who was faking the end around. Everyone watched Knight and Hendricks. Except those who knew the call. About 2 seconds later, Brady turned, revealed the ball that was neatly tucked behind his leg, and hit Dave Terrell for a wiiiiiiiide open strike of about 85 yards. The entire offense went running and whooping into the end zone, and the offensive team on the sidelines went crazy running onto the field.

I am still in awe of that play.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Hmmm....well, I don't know where to start. In 99 we played Wisconsin in Madison. Tommy had a pretty good game, and we were winning when he got rocked, and had to leave with a concussion. Woozy, he got sent to the bench. I went over when the medical staff was treating him, and then when they left, I sat next to him on the bench to see how messed up he was. He would ask me the score of the game, and then he asked me if he had thrown an interception. I told him he had, I think it was a crossing route to Dave Terrell he missed on. He would respond "Damn. Wish I could have that one back. Gotta protect the ball." Then, about 2 minutes later, we'd repeat the cycle. Finally, the staff took him to the lockerroom.

At the Orange Bowl, twice we fell behind 'Bama by 14 points. Alabama at that time was considered to be playing the best football in the nation. We were underdogs. After they went up 28-14 in the 3rd, off of a Freddie Milons punt return right in front of our sideline, Tommy went up and down the bench, telling each and every player that we were going to win, and that "we've been here, done this." Sure enough, from that point, he was perfect. Next two drives were TDs, he then drove us to the 1 when Anthony Thomas fumbled what would've been the go-ahead TD. No problem. We got the ball back in the 4th with about 2 minutes left, and Tommy drove us inside the 20. The last second FG was blocked. Overtime. 1 play, 25 yard TD pass. Ballgame. I still have that ball. Amazing.

He was so much smarter than any other player we had. He would run through options with the coaches in practice, and have situations in his head that I can't believe he not only thought of, but had answers for. He also ran the meanest play fake I've ever seen in spring of 99. We had Tommy Hendricks (future Miami Dolphin) as one of our safeties. Hendricks loved to show up the offense in practice, and let them know how badass our defense was. Brady ran a play that had a fake, and then a fake off of the end around. Hendricks was blitzing, and was about to clean Brady's clock on the exchange, when he stopped, and started chasing Marcus Knight, who was faking the end around. Everyone watched Knight and Hendricks. Except those who knew the call. About 2 seconds later, Brady turned, revealed the ball that was neatly tucked behind his leg, and hit Dave Terrell for a wiiiiiiiide open strike of about 85 yards. The entire offense went running and whooping into the end zone, and the offensive team on the sidelines went crazy running onto the field.

I am still in awe of that play.

great stories, thanks for posting.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Hmmm....well, I don't know where to start. In 99 we played Wisconsin in Madison. Tommy had a pretty good game, and we were winning when he got rocked, and had to leave with a concussion. Woozy, he got sent to the bench. I went over when the medical staff was treating him, and then when they left, I sat next to him on the bench to see how messed up he was. He would ask me the score of the game, and then he asked me if he had thrown an interception. I told him he had, I think it was a crossing route to Dave Terrell he missed on. He would respond "Damn. Wish I could have that one back. Gotta protect the ball." Then, about 2 minutes later, we'd repeat the cycle. Finally, the staff took him to the lockerroom.

At the Orange Bowl, twice we fell behind 'Bama by 14 points. Alabama at that time was considered to be playing the best football in the nation. We were underdogs. After they went up 28-14 in the 3rd, off of a Freddie Milons punt return right in front of our sideline, Tommy went up and down the bench, telling each and every player that we were going to win, and that "we've been here, done this." Sure enough, from that point, he was perfect. Next two drives were TDs, he then drove us to the 1 when Anthony Thomas fumbled what would've been the go-ahead TD. No problem. We got the ball back in the 4th with about 2 minutes left, and Tommy drove us inside the 20. The last second FG was blocked. Overtime. 1 play, 25 yard TD pass. Ballgame. I still have that ball. Amazing.

He was so much smarter than any other player we had. He would run through options with the coaches in practice, and have situations in his head that I can't believe he not only thought of, but had answers for. He also ran the meanest play fake I've ever seen in spring of 99. We had Tommy Hendricks (future Miami Dolphin) as one of our safeties. Hendricks loved to show up the offense in practice, and let them know how badass our defense was. Brady ran a play that had a fake, and then a fake off of the end around. Hendricks was blitzing, and was about to clean Brady's clock on the exchange, when he stopped, and started chasing Marcus Knight, who was faking the end around. Everyone watched Knight and Hendricks. Except those who knew the call. About 2 seconds later, Brady turned, revealed the ball that was neatly tucked behind his leg, and hit Dave Terrell for a wiiiiiiiide open strike of about 85 yards. The entire offense went running and whooping into the end zone, and the offensive team on the sidelines went crazy running onto the field.

I am still in awe of that play.

Dave, what position did you play ? Great stories, and thanx. Not often do we get such great insight about Tom Brady. We all feel like we know Tom Brady because we are such big fans, but you ACTUALLY KNOW him.

 

[upstater1]

Good seafood in A2?? Do tell. I was out there two years as a native RIer and never could find anything on South Main St that could come close. I did enjoy Mongolian BBQ quite a few times, though!

I was not lucky enough to be in Ann Arbor while Tom was playing (no, I got the John Navarre days).

+1. I lived in AA for 4 years (not as a student) from 2001-2005. That seafood place on Main Street was tough. I've had much better.

If you liked Deli food, Zingerman's rivals any New York kosher Deli. In fact, I'd say it beats them.

I hung out a lot at Old Towne Tavern, del Rio, & The Earle.

Good food at the Ethiopian Place, a couple Sushi joints, Indian over by the university, and Mexican on Washtenaw near Ypsilanti. I literally didn't have a kitchen when I lived there, and so I was eating out practically all the time. I found most of the food joints on Main Street to be very overrated. No, check that. The Chinese place on lower Main was excellent.

I'd take Buffalo over AA any day. AA is a pretty town, but I was bored silly there. In fact, all I did was eat and drink at bars/restaurants and catch the occasional movie at State.

Oh, and I hate Michigan football. LOL.

 

[TruthSeeker]

+1. I lived in AA for 4 years (not as a student) from 2001-2005. That seafood place on Main Street was tough. I've had much better.

If you liked Deli food, Zingerman's rivals any New York kosher Deli. In fact, I'd say it beats them.

I hung out a lot at Old Towne Tavern, del Rio, & The Earle.

Good food at the Ethiopian Place, a couple Sushi joints, Indian over by the university, and Mexican on Washtenaw near Ypsilanti. I literally didn't have a kitchen when I lived there, and so I was eating out practically all the time. I found most of the food joints on Main Street to be very overrated. No, check that. The Chinese place on lower Main was excellent.

I'd take Buffalo over AA any day. AA is a pretty town, but I was bored silly there. In fact, all I did was eat and drink at bars/restaurants and catch the occasional movie at State.

Oh, and I hate Michigan football. LOL.

Upstater, dude !, to say Zingerman's challenges any New York Kosher deli, you must be talking about upstate NY, not New York City. The average NYC Kosher Deli beats most states best Kosher Deli's. Sorta like Pizza, nuthin beats NYC Pizza. Luckily, I'm back in NYC after living in San Francisco for 7 years. Every time I came back to NYC to visit family, we always hit Ben's Deli and various pizza joints. Ben's has one of the best Pastrami sandwiches known to mankind (and womankind, lol).

 

[upstater1]

Upstater, dude !, to say Zingerman's challenges any New York Kosher deli, you must be talking about upstate NY, not New York City. The average NYC Kosher Deli beats most states best Kosher Deli's. Sorta like Pizza, nuthin beats NYC Pizza. Luckily, I'm back in NYC after living in San Francisco for 7 years. Every time I came back to NYC to visit family, we always hit Ben's Deli and various pizza joints. Ben's has one of the best Pastrami sandwiches known to mankind (and womankind, lol).

Zingerman's is different. trust me. I know what I speak of. And as for pizza, I grew up in New Haven. Screw New York pizza!!!

Seriously, Zingerman's is unbelievable. It's run like a New York deli but with money to burn. The owner literally flies around the world and returns with top quality specialty foods. The prices are out of control, but that bastard used to rob me for $12 a pop for a BLT. I couldn't get enough of his Arkansas Pepper Cracked Bacon.

I think the other people who lived in AA will vouch for this. I lived in New York for many years, and I'm always dropping in on my brother who now lives on the East Side. I haven't found anything as good in that city. It's because Zing's is gourmet, while the rich people in Manhattan don't hang out at Deli's.