Tom+Brady



By Jon Hoisl

“I’m pretty chirpy. I can talk a little too much smack.” - Tom Brady

**Biography**

Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. was born on August 3, 1977 to Thomas Sr. and Galynn in San Mateo, California. He played college football at Michigan and went on to be drafted by the New England Patriots in the 6th round (out of 7) of the National Football League draft in 2000.

Overcoming the obstacles of the complex systems the National Football League has to offer is no simple task. Already being criticized as being unable to fill Drew Bledsoe’s (his predecessor at quarterback) shoes Brady had to work his way up the ladder from being a “nobody” to poster child of the league. Currently, he has participated in four Super Bowls, won three, and has also been selected to six Pro Bowls. Winning the 2007 Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press is just the cherry on top. Many believe Brady to be the best National Football League draft pick of all time considering the draft position versus production. Brady’s personal life follows that of a high profile athlete. On February 29th 2009 Brady married Gisele Bundchen, a Brazilian supermodel for Victoria’s Secret. In June Bundchen gave birth to their first son, Benjamin Rein Brady.

**Psychoanalytic Perspective**

I, Sigmund Freud have been resurrected from the dead to share with you my analysis of an individual from your era known as Tom Brady. My psychoanalytic approach will characteristically emphasize the underlying subconscious processes which affect an individual’s behavior. Did Tom Brady become an elite National Football League quarterback by chance, via genetics, or through innate subconscious drives?

The mind consists of three parts, which operate dependently and concurrently. The id is the “pleasure” component and chiefly operates on the premise of primitive drives and desires. Obviously we could discuss how he has the innate drive to consume food for survival but that wouldn’t lead to much of a debate. Instead let’s think abstractly and relate the Id to the football field. As a quarterback, Brady consistently has massive men trying to drive his frail body into the turf. But, if there’s an attack mounted by the opposition, there needs to be a defensive response. While on the field Brady’s Id kicks into gear and he is driven by his subconscious to “survive” by using his linemen to block for him and delay any opportunity of a sack. Off the field, Brady subconscious desire to reproduce has led him to wed Brazilian supermodel Giselle Bundchen and produce their son, Benjamin Rein Brady. Although it seems simplex, Brady would have no desire to pass on his alpha male genes without the Id. Moving on, he is strong-willed and possesses a great deal of integrity and morality. I attribute this to his superego component of his mind. While Brady is not working diligently studying football or being a family man, he contributes to those less fortunate than himself. In 2009, he participated in a biking event for Best Buddies International. 100% of the money raised by participants benefits the charity in carrying out its mission of providing friends and jobs for people with intellectual disabilities (Pinqi, 2009). Although his Id strives for survival and promotes profitability, his Ego balances this urge with morality and causes Brady to engage in activities that contribute to the well-being of other individuals in society.

As part of my psychoanalytic approach it is important to touch upon the five discontinuous psychosexual stages. Although some New York Jets fans may argue that Brady is stuck in the oral stage, he has successfully completed each stage and ultimately is and has been taking part of the genital stage since adulthood.

In my psychoanalytic model I also discuss defense mechanisms. In early April Brady participated in an interview in which he was questioned by ESPN about being drafted in the sixth round as opposed to an earlier round he was expecting. In the interview he began to bawl and recalled grabbing a baseball bat and destroying property (ESPN, 2011). In my professional opinion Brady showed signs of displacement as he shifted his aggression and fears to another target. Maybe not being drafted at all after all of his dedicated effort throughout the years crossed his mind.

**Humanistic Perspective**

I, Carl Rogers was resurrected with Freud to give an alternative perspective of Tom Brady. Humanism is an area of philosophy that emphasizes the personal worth of the individual and the importance of human values. After behaviorism and psychoanalysis it is the “third force” that determines personality.

Another component of my theory is that our existence comes from our interaction and relations with others. Brady has a very strong relationship with his father, Tom Sr., and the social support garnered from the relationship has permitted Brady to achieve most of his goals. Entering the National Football League and becoming a starting quarterback was number one on the list. Although this arduous task has been accomplished the path taken has been more of a rags-to-riches endeavor.

The early years of Brady’s sports career did not hold much promise of attaining such a lofty goal. He was not particularly strong or coordinated. In fact, Tom was undistinguished even among the other boys on his block. What he had going for him was a competitive nature and an innate understanding of how to improve. He would challenge the fastest kids in his neighborhood and lose miserably. After each loss though, he would break down the situation and analyze the ways in which to progress. Even after becoming the starting quarterback for Junipero Serra High School he was dissatisfied with the team’s training regimen and decided to devise his own.

It is obvious that Brady’s strong work ethic enabled him to grow and develop further than purely genetics or the environment would have allowed. He wasn’t anywhere near the fastest, strongest or tallest in college. In fact, his teammates used to mock him for being so frail and wiry. National Football League coaches were skeptical and despite his skill he was passed up until late in the sixth round when Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots drafted him.

Becoming the team’s second string quarterback only fueled Brady’s urge to improve. In order to pursue happiness he knew he needed move on after short-term obstacles and set long-term goals. Over the course of the season, he committed the playbook to memory, added 15 pounds of muscle, and slowly but surely improved his arm strength. At night, Tom would practice his footwork in his apartment. Hardly a moment went by that he was not preparing in some way for the day he would get to play. Although the league viewed him as a fringe type, he was sure he could get the job done in a starting role. His mission was to make believers out of everyone in pro football.

My colleague Abram Maslow would argue that Brady’s main goal stems from a hierarchy of needs. Physiological, safety, esteem, and love needs are deficiency needs while self-actualization motives are at the being level and the pinnacle. Self-actualization is not technically needed, but we as humans generally strive towards thriving and excellence. Brady is a prime example.

**Discussion**

After reading Freud and Rogers’ Psychoanalytic and Humanistic theories, respectively, one could easily argue that these approaches are the most effective at analyzing Tom Brady’s personality. A biological approach would not efficiently describe Brady’s rise to success as he isn’t genetically gifted. From an outward, physical perspective one might deduce that Brady became a star quarterback from his quick feet, his strong arm, and his cunning. From a humanistic viewpoint we know that this isn’t fully the case. His dedication to improvement is the underlying cause for his stardom.

These two approaches also show that personality is stable, but not always constant. Although there is an inherent drive towards growth, if certain needs aren’t fully met drives have the potential to change.

Brady is a star quarterback and is among an elite group of greats. His “rags-to-riches” story is an inspiration to many and may be conducive to producing strong-willed, dedicated, and cunning quarterbacks in the future.

**References**

Black Book Partners. (2008). //Tom Brady Biography//. Retrieved from http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Brady_Tom/Brady_bio.html

ESPN, (2011). //Tom Brady Talks About Being Drafted// [Web]. Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJvEXNs8J9o&feature=related

Friedman, H. S. & Schustack, M. W. (2009). Personality: Classic theories and modern research (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Pinqi, A. (2009, June 03). //Tom brady bikes for best buddies//. Retrieved from []