Transcript: Tom Brady, Part 3

In June 2005, 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft sat down for an interview with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The interview took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Here is a transcript of that conversation.

TOM BRADY: (LAUGHTER) Hey man, they can think whatever they want to think, but hopefully my teammates and my coaches don't feel that way. I think if you go ask them I don't think they think that either.

KROFT: Where would you rank yourself?

BRADY: Oh, that's the worst question in the world. I mean, putting a rank on it. I really like the way certain guys play. I think I'm up there. I think I'm right there with the really, really good ones.

KROFT: You want to be considered the best in the league right? I mean, as competitive as you are, you're going to tell me that you're willing to be considered less than the best?

BRADY: Right, just like I said, whatever anyone thinks, I don't care. I don't care whether they think I'm the best, the second best or the third best. I mean, I've got three Super Bowl rings. So, that speaks. Hey, say whatever you want, but look at these diamonds on these fingers. I mean, that speaks for itself. I mean, it just shuts a lot of people up.

KROFT: Which of the rings do you like the best? What's your favorite ring?

BRADY: My favorite ring? I've always said the next one. The next one's the best. They're special.

The first one was great. It's got a great story. The second one is mine. The third one is obnoxious. (LAUGHTER) I mean, you see these things?

KROFT: I've seen one. I saw Charlie Weis's.

BRADY: The third one?

KROFT: Yeah.

KROFT: You've said, "I have strengths and weaknesses, and if I don't play to my strengths, I'm a very average quarterback." You believe that?

BRADY: I sure do, sure do. With those strength and weaknesses, you do play to your strengths and you try to improve your weaknesses. [On] our team, a lot of guys are very mobile, and they can do a lot of great things when the plays break down and when they're moving out of the pocket. It's fun to watch. I mean, I see Michael Vick do that, and I say, "Geez, that guy is terrific, and I can't do that. It's impossible, no matter how hard I try only bad things are going to happen." So, why try it? I mean, the best thing for me is to know what the defense is going to do and to drop back and throw the ball to the guy who's most open and let him run. And if I don't do that, then we won't win. And that's not fun.

KROFT: Who do you think you're most like? Who do you get compared to?

BRADY: I would say the guy that, if I could be like anybody, and the person I try to be like, and, if I am, that's great, it'd be Joe Montana. No question.

KROFT: A lot of people make that comparison.

BRADY: Yeah. I hear that quite a bit.

KROFT: Anybody else?

BRADY: Who else do I really like? There's some guys that I really like, that I probably wish I could be more like, but the most similar would be John Elway. I had posters of John Elway and Steve Young and Dan Marino. Joe Montana was who I really looked up to.

KROFT: Before you played the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl, their quarterback, Jake Delhomme, said: "I want to be like Tom Brady." Do you remember what you said?

BRADY: What'd I say?

BRADY: What'd I say? "He probably doesn't need any help from me, he's in the Super Bowl." (LAUGHTER)

KROFT: No, he says you replied: "You mean he wants to be slow with an average arm?" (LAUGHTER)

BRADY: I didn't think people wanted that. (LAUGHTER)

KROFT: So you have a sense of humor.

BRADY: Yeah. I would say so. Self-deprecating.

KROFT: Do you ever feel, I mean you feel the urge sometime to say, "I told you so"?

BRADY: It'd be too easy to do. I mean it's like why be the jerk? I mean I don't need to say it. Let other people say it. It sounds so much better.

KROFT: This whole experience -- this whole upward trajectory -- what have you learned about yourself? What kind of an effect does it have on you?

BRADY: Well, I put incredible amounts of pressure on me. When you feel like you're ultimately responsible for everyone and everything, even though you have no control over it, and you still blame yourself if things don't go right -- I mean, there's a lot of pressure. A lot of times I think I get very frustrated and introverted, and there's times where I'm not the person that I want to be.

Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, "Hey man, this is what is." I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think: God, it's gotta be more than this. I mean this can't be what it's all cracked up to be. I mean I've done it. I'm 27. And what else is there for me?

KROFT: What's the answer?

BRADY: I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I mean I think that's part of me trying to go out and experience other things. I love playing football, and I love being a quarterback for this team, but, at the same time, I think there's a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find. I know what ultimately makes me happy are family and friends, and positive relationships with great people. I think I get more out of that than anything.

KROFT: Last year, AFC title game, night before, you had 103 temperature. You got an IV in your arm, trying to hydrate you. How do you get out of bed and go out and play a game, and win, when the wind chill factor is minus zero? How'd you do that?

BRADY: I don't think I was on my death bed. I want to preface it by that. There was nothing that was gonna keep me out of that game. The desire to win, and to compete, is stronger than my threshold for pain, or sickness, or whatever.

KROFT: But you couldn't have been at your best. Or were you?

BRADY: Sometimes you could be. I mean I thought that was probably the best game I've ever played, as a player. It brings a sense of focus, in a weird way. I can still go out there and do just fine.

KROFT: The game against Oakland, the one in the blizzard, what was that like?

BRADY: That was maybe the first time I'd really played in snow. It came down in these big, fluffy, white snowflakes. It wasn't a really wet, drenching, nasty snowfall. It was just very, came down so soft. And I was out there before the game in a t-shirt and shorts, and a skull cap on, because I wanted to, you know, show everyone how tough I was. You know, football players do that. And, as the game kind of wore on, it got colder. And then the wind started blowing. When I look back on that field, and I look back at those highlights, I mean I didn't realize how bad it was because we were going through it at the time. But that's one of the best environments for football you could ever have.

KROFT: What's going through your mind in a game, particularly in a playoff game? How much do you see? Do you see the crowd? Do you hear the crowd?

BRADY: I don't hear much. I think when you have that inner thought in your head always going, you don't hear anything. And we're playing a team like Pittsburgh, and 70,000 fans, and they're screaming as loud as they can. They're stomping on the bleachers. And you realize they can be loud, they're gonna have no effect on what happens on the field. And we went to this last playoff game with such a great idea what was gonna happen, from what they were doing, based on a previous game there, and a result, and the way we had prepared that week. And we ran out onto the field, and I there wasn't much of a doubt that we'd win that game. It wasn't up to chance I don't think.

KROFT: You were that confident.

BRADY: I was that confident in the way we had prepared that week. That was, I think, the best game I've ever played. I think that was the best week of preparation I've ever had. I think it was the best three days prior to the game of focus and discipline that I've ever had. I wish I could repeat that, and keep that level of determination, and sustain it for a course of the season. I think it'd be very tough to do. We went there early, because the weather was gonna be terrible. And so we were basically there for 48 hours. And we probably met for eight or nine of those 48 hours on going through every play, based on every defense that we could face. And so no matter what play was called, I knew exactly what best case and worst case of what could happen.

KROFT: Is it like you have blinders on? Is it like you're in a tunnel? Is it like you're playing a video game? Are you completely locked in?

BRADY: Oh yeah.

KROFT: Do you notice things around you?

BRADY: No. You don't. You don't hear the crowd. You don't hear-- you don't feel the weather. I mean it was five degrees out. You don't feel the cold. You don't-- you just see what you need to do. You just feel the situation. The plays are called. And when he called we threw a long touchdown to Deion. And we faked it, we faked the ball, and we knew, ok, when we're lined up in this slot formation, and we motion across, it's gonna take their strong safety, who was down over the slot there, back to the middle of the field. Which is the guy we want in the middle of the field on that play. If they play that coverage. So I see him down. We motion across. He rotates back to the middle. And I think this is exactly what we were hoping for, before the ball snapped. So what do I have to do? I know who's in the middle of the field, he's a very aggressive safety. So if I just stare in this little in cut, from his strong side, and give him a little pump, he's gonna jump all over it, and completely expose the post behind him. So I'm lining up, stalk formation, he motions, he goes back to the middle of the field. So what's my first thought? I mean I haven't snapped the ball yet, and I'm thinking about the pump. You know, I'm not thinking of where I'm throwing. I know where I'm throwing. And now I'm trying to pump it. So I drop back. I come off the fake. I look up at him. He looks at me. I look to the receiver. I pump him. He jumps. And I just turn and go, phew, 55 yard third, Deion standing under it. And I said, "Ok." Just like we drew it up.

KROFT: So this play has happened in your mind before the ball is even snapped.

BRADY: Yeah. As that receiver's crossing the formation, and just getting past me, but I'm thinking I know where I'm throwing.

KROFT: You signed a $60 million contract. And a lot of people think you've left a lot of money on the table.

BRADY: Wow. (LAUGHTER)

KROFT: I mean Peyton Manning, of the Colts, is getting 98 million and a $34 million signing bonus. Michael Vick of the Falcons, 130 million. None of them of them has won even one Super Bowl, let alone three. Why didn't you hold out for more?

BRADY: Well, everybody makes different decisions, and everybody has their reasons. Peyton and Michael decided they wanted to, whatever they want to play for is up to them. I used to get $600 dorm checks and go eat Subway, and use pizza cards to get my way through college. And eat baked potatoes and make pancakes every night. So I don't think that's ever been a big thing for me. I mean I'm making more money now than I ever thought I could ever make playing football. I'm very lucky to be here. Why would I go screw this up? I mean where else would I want to be? Where I want to get paid more money? I mean I'm not gonna be able to spend this money.

KROFT: It's been reported that one of the reasons why you signed the contract was that you wanted the franchise to have money to go out and hire great players. Was that a factor?

BRADY: Yeah. I mean that's always a factor. The way the NFL works, the more you take, the less money other guys have. And I decided, hey, this is what I think I deserve. And it's very fair. And it is a business, and I make those decisions. It's not like I'm, you know, non-profit here. I'm not working for free, and I'm getting paid a lot of money. Other people need to get paid a lot of money too, because a lot of other people contribute. But it's not like the grass is greener anywhere else. I mean, I'm a part of three championships here. And I've got a great relationship with the coach, the ownership and the players.

KROFT: And the fans.

BRADY: And the fans, and the city. And it's like why leave here? Why would that make sense? That would be the dumbest -- it's such a stupid decision if I ever decide something else. And if people ask those questions, I don't think they're very smart either. 'Cause if they were to evaluate it the way I did, it'd be an easy decision.

KROFT: Is there any upside to the celebrity? You were named by, you were listed by "Entertainment Tonight" as America's most eligible bachelor.

BRADY: Really?

KROFT: Uh-huh. Your mail must be very interesting.

BRADY: (LAUGHS) There's been some crazy stuff. Yes. Yeah. There's certainly a lot of upside. There's much more good than bad, and that's why you don't complain. But, yeah, the mail and that stuff -- pictures and underwear. There's been a lot of stuff like that.

KROFT: And your college roommate said that you had trouble getting a date when you were at Michigan. (LAUGHTER)

BRADY: He's probably true. That's true. I always wanted to date this particular girl, but they never gave me the time of day. They probably still, well, they might now. But I'm pretty happy with who I got.

KROFT: Are you thinking about getting married?

BRADY: At some point, oh yeah. I mean I look forward to that very much.

KROFT: To Bridget Moynahan?

BRADY: If, see you, you can't ask that -- (LAUGHTER)

KROFT: I'm putting you on the spot.

BRADY: Next question.

KROFT: Has she settled your life down?

BRADY: She's helped a lot. Sure has. I can be myself around her, and there's not many people I can be myself around. It's fun to be around your best friends who know you well, and she's someone that I consider one of my very best friends.

KROFT: Coach Weis calls you glamour boy.

BRADY: Calls me a lot of things, some of them I can't say. That's one of the nicer things he said to me actually.

KROFT: He said if you played in New York, you would have loved that lifestyle. You like New York?

BRADY: Yeah. It's a place where I think I do fit in. I don't think I'd want to play for the Jets of the Giants, but I think it's a cool place. It's always moving. Like I said, I'm the kind of person that likes to be on the move, and New York -- there's kind of something for everyone. That'd be a tough place to make it.

KROFT: But, if the opportunity presented itself someplace down the line, New York would be someplace you would consider.

BRADY: My playing career, I don't want to go anywhere else other than here. There's no question about that. Living-wise, that might be a place. California's a great place too, where I was born and raised.

KROFT: So what do you make of this whole glamour boy image?

BRADY: What do I make of it?

KROFT: The most eligible bachelor in America.

BRADY: I mean it's flattering. I mean, of course, it's flattering. It, like I said, a guy had a hard time getting dates in college, I mean it's very flattering. No, but, at the same time, I don't think I sleep any better at night being that. No way.

KROFT: Do you mean like alone, or not alone? What do you mean by that? (LAUGHTER)

BRADY: Yeah, that's right.

KROFT: What are some of the requests you've had from fans?

BRADY: I got invited to be the best man in a wedding of a person I'd never met. That's kind of interesting. I get invited to proms. I had a girl actually came up to my house, and knocked on my door, and asked me to her prom. I was 24 at the time. That was interesting. I mean I've had guys that say, "Hey, you know, come over and you kiss my girlfriend." And I'm sitting there thinking -- this dude is crazy. You know?

KROFT: Is there any upside to the celebrity?

BRADY: You get to do a lot of great things. I like traveling. There's a lot of people that I look up to that I've had a chance to meet. I mean when you have Joe Montana that wants to have lunch with you, I mean that's an upside. Michael Jordan, you know, came up to me the first time I met him. He was actually playing golf with Donald Trump. And I see him and he goes, "What's up TB?" It's the first time I met Michael Jordan, and I'm thinking like that's the coolest thing I've ever heard. I mean people call me TB my whole life, but, when Michael Jordan said it, I mean that was the coolest.

KROFT: And people call you 12?

BRADY: Yeah. Twelve. Gunslinger.

KROFT: Tell me briefly about your sisters. You got two of them that live in Boston right?

BRADY: Yeah.

KROFT: They take care of you? Watch out for you?

BRADY: They try. They try. And I try to look out for them just the same. I've had a very close family. My mom and dad and my oldest sister live out in the Bay area. And the two other sisters live out here, they live together.

KROFT: One of them's a very good athlete.

BRADY: Yeah. All three were great athletes. The oldest was an All American softball player at Fresno. And she's the one that I had the salsa eating contest with. Tells you a little bit about her. She was 116 and 9 in high school as a pitcher. She's a college All American. One of the feistiest most competitive girls I've ever been around. I mean the sweetest girl, but she would slit your throat so fast. The other two are very much the same. Very loving and caring, but very, very competitive, and very independent. And I think I'm very proud of where all of them are at. We have a lot of fun sharing a lot of things together.

KROFT: Who's the best athlete in the family? (LAUGHTER)

BRADY: If I could ever play softball, I'd kick their butts.

KROFT: Are you interested in politics?

BRADY: Yes, I'm interested in. I think the way my interests ebb and flow. In two years, I don't know what I'll be interested in. But, yeah, it's something I like, and something I'm always staying on top of.

KROFT: Lonie Paxton said he had to drive to New York, and you did nothing but play an audio version of Bill Clinton's book. (LAUGHTER) He thought it was some kind of torture.

BRADY: Did he? See, he should have been learning some things. I figure all that dead time in the car, I mean the book's like 600 pages, it'd be a good time to listen to it. That was a great story.

KROFT: You a republican or a democrat?

BRADY: You know, I'm actually independent. I'm actually an independent, and I have been for some time. There's no doubt this world needs a lot of help.

KROFT: You gonna run for office some day? Something you consider?

BRADY: So much of my attention now is focused on playing ball, and I like to do that. And if that chance does come up, and I'm still interested in it, I mean it would be something that I think I could do a decent job at. When you think about things you like to do, you think about things that you could be good at, and that's one thing I think I could be good at. Whether I do it or not, I don't know. Who does?

KROFT: If you could be any place in the world, doing anything you want, where would you be?

BRADY: Probably in Scotland playing golf with my mom and dad. Yeah.

KROFT: And not here leading the Patriots against the Steelers?

BRADY: I'd probably take my mom and dad. Yeah. They're some of the most happy times in my life.

KROFT: Anything that really scares you? Anything that intimidates you?

BRADY: The end of my playing career. Big time. Because I guess I've done this for so long. And I know what I feel like in the off-season. That I'm always trying to figure out ways to have a day that's filled with things I like to do. And when I'm playing football during those seven months out of the year, it's easy. I mean I get up and come in here. Not that it's easy to work hard, not that it's easy to show up every day and do the job, but you're focused. You know? You got a goal. You got something you're trying to accomplish. And when that's done, you don't have 80,000 people screaming your name. You know, what's it gonna be? I've heard a lot about astronauts who go to the moon and come back, and they're so depressed, because there's nothing they can do in their lives that ever can fill 'em the way that that does.