The legendary quarterback said Monday – which marked a stripped-down Super Bowl opening night pretty much in the midst of the pandemic – that he may have a few more seasons left and “definitely” would consider playing after 45.
“It’s a physical sport and the perspective I have on it is you never know when that time is,” said Brady, whose Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV next Sunday.
“It’s a contact sport and there’s a lot of training. And again, it has to be 100 percent dedication on my part to keep doing it.”
Brady could win a seventh Super Bowl ring in Tampa this weekend and potentially lead the Bucs to a second championship and the first since 2003.
He will compete for his third Super Bowl in four seasons and, since turning 40, has led the NFL with 47 wins.
With a seventh title, Brady would surpass Michael Jordan, the great NBA who had won six championships between 1991 and 1998.
“Michael is one of my sports idols, I think he’s pretty incredible,” said Brady.
“For me it’s about being part of a lot of great teams. Getting the chance to play in this game means a lot to me.
“We are one game away from the ultimate goal in this sport. And I’ve been part of that ultimate goal six times. So they are all different. They have all meant something different to me. They have all been very unique in their own way, and it will just be cool to achieve it this time.
“I don’t compare them to the other times. Those were all magical moments in my life and no one could ever take them away from me. And hopefully we can finish strong this season and win a Super Bowl here.”
Brady will face Patrick Mahomes this weekend – a quarterback 18 years younger than him, hoping to lead the Chiefs to back-to-back titles.
It is the very first Super Bowl game between the winning quarterback of the previous two Super Bowls, Brady won in 2019 with the New England Patriots.
“I really admire Patrick for the kind of player he is. He has a great command of his team. I know his teammates love to play with him. He has a great look,” said Brady.
And I think when I see Patrick, I see someone who, again – none of these moments is too big for him.
“And the times I’ve had the chance to talk to him off the field, I’ve certainly enjoyed it. And he’s a great player. I know it’s early days in his career, but what he achieved in the end,” gets to him. ”